Guwahati
Gateway to the Northeast

Sitting atop the Nilachal Hill, by the banks of the Brahmaputra , the majestic Kamakhya Temple is an iconic landmark in Guwahati. one among the oldest temples within the city, it’s said to be dating back to the 8th century. Dedicated to mother goddess Kamakhya, the temple has four chambers: a garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum), which may be a cave under the bottom level that houses a rock fissure rather than an idol, and three mandapas (outdoor halls) referred to as calanta, pancharatna and natamandira. the present temple structure has been built by the Ahom kings. one among the classic features is that the shikhara (spire) that appears sort of a beehive of sculpted panels and pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses.

Counted among the foremost sacred shaktipeethas (devotional shrines where the severed body parts of Goddess Sati fell), the temple is believed to be the place where the womb of the goddess fell. Thus, it’s also synonymous with supreme female power and fertility. Thousands of devotees visit the temple per annum , especially during the Ambubachi Mela in June.

Legend has it that Goddess Sati immolated herself when her husband, Lord Shiva, was disrespected in her paternal home. Grief-stricken Lord Shiva traversed the universe together with her body on His shoulders, wrecking havoc. To calm the enraged God, Lord Vishnu cut Sati’s body together with his divine weapon, the Sudarshana chakra, and pieces of the body fell across India, resulting in the creation of shaktipeethas.

Lying on the outskirts of the town , Hajo is among the few places within the country where ancient ritualistic practices are still followed. Once a centre of Buddhism, Hajo is understood because the place where the founding father of Lamaism , Padmasambhava, breathed his last. it’s home to variety of temples and sacred places, including the Hayagriva Madhava Mandir. Situated on Monikut Hill, the temple is one among the foremost visited points in Hajo and was built by King Raghudeva Narayan of the Koch dynasty in 1583. Tourists also can visit the Lord Ganesha temple built during the rule of Ahom king Pramatta Singha in 1744 AD. Visiting Hajo gives tourists an opportunity to understand about the history and rich heritage of Assam.

About 10 km faraway from Guwahati, lies the capital city of Assam, Dispur. The Sualkuchi weavers’ village is that the main attraction, which invites visitors for its beautiful and intricately woven mekhela chadors. This rustic village may be a birdwatcher’s paradise because it is visited by many migratory birds during winters. Prominent landmarks in Dispur include the Assam Assembly House and therefore the Assam Secretariat, which are stately buildings. The pilgrimage point of Bashistha Ashram, which lies on the confluence of Kanta, Sandhya and Lalita rivers, is additionally a must-visit. The tea auction markets of Dispur are renowned everywhere the Northeast. Travellers should attempt to time their visit to attend the festivities of Bihu, which sees a grand celebration. The Kamakhya Temple and therefore the Navagraha Temple are nearby attractions.