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Guwahati
Hugging the shores of the turbulent Brahmaputra, Guwahati is the gateway
to the enchanting North Eastern India. The Light of the East, Pragjyotishpura,
as it was known once upon a time, is said to have been a vast kingdom during
the epic period of the Mahabharata. Today, Guwahati is the hub of the region
and also its largest city.
Guwahati has several places of historical interest. Perhaps the biggest
attraction is the Kamakhya Temple atop Nilachal hill, where the Goddess
Kamakhya is worshipped and which commands a majestic view of the city and
the river.
Guwahati is the commercial capital of the North east. Its markets are busy
and noisy and well stocked, especially with local handicraft sand handloom
for handicraft item include the State Government department store, Pragiyotika
at Ambari as well as many privately owned shops in Pan Bazar and Fancy Bazar,
two of the main commercial markets, that sell a range of items- from muga
silk to bell metal, canework to woollen shawls and elegant Naga and Manipur
jackets.
Places of Interest
Dighalipukhuri
A a water body in the heart of the city with boating facilities, cruises
on the river Brahmaputra in the 'Jolporee', the famous Balaji Temple of
Tirupati,Planetarium, the Saraighat Bridge over the Brahmaputra, the Guwahati
Oil Refinery, Lachit Barphukan Park and the Guwahati University are places
worth visiting.
Chandubi Lake
A natural lagoon and fine picnic spot which is 64 kms. from Guwahati. The
lake and its surroundings is an ideal holiday resort with the added attraction
of fishing and rowing. The place is easily accessible by bus from Guwahati.The
best season to visit is from November to April.
Sualkuchi
Assam produces three unique varieties of silks, the Golden Muga, the White
Pat and the warm Eri. Silks grown all over the state find their way to Sualkuchi,
32 kms from Guwahati.
Sualkuchi is one of the world's largest weaving villages often called the
Manchester of the E ast. The entire population here is engaged in weaving
exquisite silf fabrics. A renowned centre of silk production, particularly
known for Muga - the golden silk of Assam which is not produced anywhere
else in the world.
Hajo
Located 32 kms. from Guwahati on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, it is
a place where three religions meet - Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. It has
a large number of temples, the chief among them being Hayagriva-Madhab Temple.
There is a belief that this temple contains the relic of Lord Buddha, while
a section of the Buddhist hold that Lord Buddha attained nirvana here. Large
number of Bhutanese visit this temple every year during the winter season.
There is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims here known as Poa-Mecca. According
to mythology, the Pandavas had taken shelter in this region during their
agyatvas or the period in hiding. One can see the stone bowl used by Bhima
during this agyatvas.
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