1. Guwahati 

Presiding over the banks of the Brahmaputra River, this major commercial and cultural hub and gateway to Assam once served as the capital (Pragjyotishpur) of the Kamrup kings. Amongst its shiny gems is the scattering of temples dating to Vedic and Puranic times. Standing head and shoulders above them all is the legendary Kamakhya Temple. The shrine is mentioned in the inscription of King Samudragupta’s pillar at Allahabad. Located on Neelachal Hill its imposing presence is enhanced by the spectacular views of the Brahmaputra and its surrounds. Goddess Parvati (Sati) is the presiding deity and every year her devotees arrive in the thousands to pay homage to her during the 3-day Ambubachi Mela. This is a deeply venerated Hindu Shaktipeeth shrine as legend has it that it’s the spot where her yoni from the dismembered parts of her body, had fallen. The site is also an important Tantric centre.

Other much-visited city spots are the Nabagraha Temple, a centre for the study of astronomy and astrology; Ugratara Temple, dedicated to an incarnation of Goddess Kal; Dirgheshwari Temple, dedicated to an avatar of Goddess Durga and the Bashishta Ashram, set up centuries ago by the sage Vashishta. River cruises on the Brahmaputra are highly recommended.

Located an hour’s drive away from Guwahati, the sleepy village of Sualkuchi is an important production centre for high-quality Assam silk such as Pat, Muga and Endi.

  1. Hajo

Just 32km away from Guwahati, Hajo nestles alongside the north bank of the Brahmaputra. It is an important junction for the Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu faiths. The temple Hayagrib Madhab Temple atop Monikut is venerated by Vaishnavite devotees, as it features an avatar of Vishnu as half-man-half horse. For Buddhists, Vishnu’s image is symbolic of the Buddha. Some Buddhists are of the belief that the Buddha attained Nirvana at this spot. An adjoining building, the Doul Griha, dates to the 18th-century rule of the Ahom king Pramatta Singha and plays host to a Holi-like festival each year. The Poa Mecca mosque at Hajo was established in the 12th century by a visiting Iraqi prince who became a preacher by the name of Pir Giasuddin Aulia. The Kedareswara Temple stands atop Madanachal Hill. It dates back to the rule of Ahom king Sargadeu Rajeswar Singha. Hajo is also reputed for its excellent bell-metal work. 

  1. Tezpur 

Back in the day, it was known as Sonitpur; it was also known as the ‘The City of Blood’, a legend stemming from the mythical battle fought here between Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. Located 174 km from Guwahati Tezpur offers stunning views of the Brahmaputra River at dawn. It once served as an important administrative hub for undivided Assam during British rule; it’s also an important centre for the tea industry. Some important temples in the city are the Mahabhairab Temple, Holeshwar Temple and Bhairabi Temple. Remnants of stone temples to Shiva and Vishnu, dating to the 5th-6th century, were unearthed near Parbatia. Agnigarh is a popular leisure spot as is the Chitralekha Udayan, formerly known as Cole Park. A side trip to the Nameri National Park, 50 km away, makes for a popular outing for a spot of angling for the golden Mahseer famous in the Jia Bhoroli River.

  1. Sivasagar 

It’s one of the most important sites for its heritage and history of Assam from the days of the Ahom rulers. Situated around 363 km from Guwahati, it offers ready access to the nearby archaeological site of Charaiadeo, which served as the capital of the Ahom kings (1229 CE), whose uninterrupted rule dominated the Assam Valley for six centuries. Even the Mughals were unable to make a dent in the resistance to their invasions. The British too could only press their advantage in 1826, as the empire had started weakening with time. Domineering the city is the massive water tank, set up by Queen Madambika in 1734 CE. Surrounding it are three temples—Vishnudol and Devidol, and the most important, the Shivadol, which is a major draw for the Shivratri Puja celebrations.

Charaiadeo, 28 km away, features burial vaults of kings and noblemen, strikingly akin to the pyramids of Egypt pyramids. Another capital of the Ahoms from the 15th century is Gargaon,13km away. It has remains of a 7-storied storied, 2-floor structure with a couple of secret tunnels. Rangpur (6 km) features Talatal Ghar, a palace built by King Rudra Singha in 1699 CE.

  1. Haflong

The pretty hill station, the only one in Assam, has a unique phenomenon which has put it on the tourist map. Located 325km from Guwahati it lies in proximity to Jatinga, fabled for a bizarre occurrence—an annual mass suicide by birds. The mystery of this has still not been unravelled.

  1. Majuli Island

The world’s largest inhabited riverine island on the Brahmaputra River, this is a major cultural hub in Assam. Majuli is the nucleus of the neo-Vaishnavite cult propagated by Assamese saint Srimanta Sankaradeva around the 15th century. Centric to the socio-cultural activities here is the cluster of satras or monasteries which offer rich outpourings of art, music, dance, literature, drama and religion. The three-day Raas festival is a major draw. The Mishing tribe, migrants from Arunachal, are Assam’s only riverine tribal community. They produce the most gorgeous shawls and blankets which are also used as wall hangings. The island is readily accessible from the tea town of Jorhat.

  1. Kaziranga National Park

Located on the southern banks of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga with its dense rainforests, rolling grasslands and vast expanses of over 858 sq km is Assam’s oldest game park. The National Park, 95km from Jorhat and 250km from Guwahati is also the most important conservation site for the globally- endangered Great Indian one-horned rhino. Declared a UNESCO-acclaimed Natural World Heritage Site in 1985 Kaziranga, has also been a leading Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger since 2007. It is also the old stamping ground for the Asiatic elephant, hog deer and barasingha. Its avifaunal wealth (555 species and counting), includes 18 globally threatened species—chiefly the Bengal Florican. River cruises on the Brahmaputra also include Kaziranga on their itinerary. Elephant and jeep safaris are permitted only in three tourist zones.

  1. Manas National Park
    The mighty sprawl of Manas stretches across parts of both Assam in India and neighbouring Bhutan. Contiguous with West Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve, Manas was declared part of the Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve in 2003 and serves as the international corridor for elephant migration between India and Bhutan. In 1974 it gained the status of Tiger Reserve and a UNESCO-acclaimed World Heritage Site in 1985. In 1989 was recognized as a Biosphere Reserve in 1989 and the following year was declared a National Park. Located 170km from Guwahati its 519,77sqkm of dense forests and rolling savannah grassland support over 20 endangered species— amongst them the unique golden langur. Visitors enjoy wildlife-spotting jeep safaris as the park is also home to the Asiatic elephant, pygmy hog, hispid hare, Assamese macaque, golden cat, red panda and clouded leopard. Bird watching and angling are arranged here by adventure tour operators.
  1. Dibrugarh

Assam’s second largest city, surrounded by swathes of tea estates, is a major centre for the state’s tea industry. Nestled along the banks of the Brahmaputra in Upper Assam it is a bustling industrial and commercial hub with easy access to neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. It’s an excellent base for visits to the sprawling tea estates and heritage bungalow stays. Places of interest in the city are the Radha Krishna Temple, Jagannath Temple, the DTP Dyke riverside promenade and the Bogibeel Bridge on the Brahmaputra. A must-visit is the lovely Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, 42 km away.

  1. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park 

Located on the Brahmaputra’s south bank the Dibru-Saikhowa is both a National Park and a Biosphere Reserve Spread over 340 sq km, Dibru-Saikhowa, is a refuge for the tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Gangetic Dolphin, Slow Loris, Hoolock Gibbon, Water Buffalo, Feral Horses et al. An identified Important Bird Area (IBA) it has over 382 species of avifauna.

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