Best Places to Visit in and around Guwahati

Situated at the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River, is the gateway to the unmatched culture and beauty of North-East India: Guwahati. The biggest city in the state of Assam, Guwahati is a spectacular example of a city that has preserved its historic roots while rapidly progressing to become a centre for modern infrastructure and administration. 

For anyone looking to explore the Seven Sister States, Guwahati is a promising place to start with. This article will highlight 6 best places to visit in Guwahati and around that are sure to add to your collection of favourite memories.

Kamakhya Mandir, Guwahati

One of the holiest sites for practicing Hindus, the Kamakhya Temple is said to be where Shiva’s wife, Sati’s, ‘yoni’ or vagina landed when the grieving God scattered her pieces. The beautiful temple complex dates back to the 16th century. In a world that is still fighting over whether women should be allowed in temples, the Kamakhya Mandir literally celebrates the menstruating Goddess Kamakhya/Parvati/Sati, during the annual Ambubachi Mela held in June. If the Tantric worship and spirituality has always fascinated you, you absolutely cannot miss visiting one of the most revered tourist places in Guwahati located in the Nilachal hills.

Umananda Island, Guwahati

A simple 20-minute drive from central Guwahati, the island finds a place in record books for being the smallest inhabited river island in the world. However, that’s not the only thing it is known for; the island is home to the Umananda temple, a temple in honour of Lord Shiva. The island is a haven for peace-seekers and those looking to bask in some spiritual essence. Interestingly, locals believe that as long as the temple is safe, Guwahati is safe from floods.

Kaziranga National Park

Now that you know the places to visit in Guwahati, let’s head a little away from the city. Located at a 4-hour drive from Guwahati, Kaziranga is synonymous with the great one-horned rhino. Pick any random traveller’s review of the park and you will find a mention of the sighting of the vulnerable mammal. That’s not all; you can even spot a Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian elephant, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer on one of your jeep safaris. If birdwatching interests you, then you would be thrilled to know that Kaziranga is home and host to almost 500 species of birds such as hornbills and red-headed vultures. A head’s up though- this UNESCO World Heritage Site is closed during monsoons, so plan your visit accordingly!

Gangtok

Next on the list of places to visit around Guwahati is Gangktok.  The capital city of Sikkim,  Gangtok offers a range of  amazing places to vist that are awe-inspiring to the say the least. From magnificent monasteries to sprawling forests and gushing waterfalls, you can find it all. Not to mention there are plenty of activites that you can indulge in, you do rappling besides waterfalls, go trekking, paragliding and many more. 

The place is brimmed with natural wonders and each and every site will leave you plenty of memores that will last forever. 

Where to stay: The best place to stay in Gangtok is Club Mahindra Gangtok Resort or Club Mahindra Baigueny Resort where you could learn a tribal dance, gorge on an authentic Nepali thali for lunch, and even learn regional dance forms.

Mawlynnong, Shillong

At a distance of 72kms from Shillong, lies the cleanest village in Asia- Mawlynnong. Honoured with the sobriquet God’s Own Garden, Mawlynnong is known so because of its evergreen forests, fruit orchards, and quintessential Nohwet Living Root Bridge. Formed due to the weaving roots of the Ficus Elastica tree, these bridges are a perfect example of how humankind can live in harmony with nature. Head to the Church of the Epiphany and revel in the beauty of its European architecture, and then maybe climb up the treehouses nearby and catch a glimpse of the plains of Bangladesh which are clearly visible from up there.

Dawki - Shnongdeng, Shillong

Dawki offers its visitors a wide range of experiences- a boat ride on crystal clear waters, flanked by forests and mountains on both sides; scuba diving, conversations with locals about their unique traditions, and a tranquil time spent reading on one of the riverine beaches. Located 80kms from Shillong, Dawki is a must-visit for the adventure lover, admirer of nature, and laidback traveller.

Armed with your list of places to visit  in and near Guwahati, how about you get to the fun planning bit? Book your holiday at Club Mahindra resorts and add more magic to your experience of exploring Guwahati and the Northeast India.