Cladding the eastern side of India, Guwahati is a priceless gem embedded in the tea state of Assam. Once the capital of Assam, Guwahati is the largest city here keeping age old cultures and traditions alive till date. There is no dearth of cultural and natural wealth here. From meditating in spirituality oozing temples to enjoying a leisurely stroll amidst beautiful tea gardens, from sites of the rare one-horned-rhinoceros to capturing the wild beasts � Guwahati has all kinds of attractions to delight your senses.
Kaziranga National Park is a renowned wildlife hub spread across the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam. This sanctuary hosts two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinoceroses and is thus, visited by wildlife enthusiasts from all parts of the world. Kaziranga National park covers an area of 430 square kilometre flourishing with elephant-grass meadows, marshy lagoons and thick forest cover. Here you get a chance to spot over 2200 Indian one-horned rhinoceros which look beautiful in a unique way.� The park was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.
Dharmanagar is the second largest city in Tripura known for its colorful past. Take a walk through the gorgeous tea gardens or plantations in Ganganagar. Kalibari temple of the city, dedicated to Goddess Kali, holds great importance among locals. Shiv Bari is another popular religious spot dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple houses a striking white idol of Shiva with a moustache. Also, spend sometime around the serene Dighi Lake where travelers flock for picnics and nature walks.
Sitting in the foothills of the mighty Brahmaputra River, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary also houses the endangered one-horned-rhinoceros. Though the sanctuary is small in size, it impresses visitors with the wilderness of rhinoceros roaming around apart from feral semi-wild buffalo, wild boar and jackal. Visitors can choose between Jeep safaris and elephant rides to explore the park inside out.
Sitting on the beautiful Nilachal Hil, Kamakhya Temple is a vast complex comprising about 20 temples. Out of these, the most frequented one is the temple of Goddess Kamakhya. The Kamakhya temple is known for being one of the oldest and holiest of the 51 Shakti Pithas. The temple has been divided into four chambers, including one garbhagriha and three mandapas. Surroundings of the Kamakhya Temple look astonishing with lovely Mother Nature.
The Umananda Temple is a popular Hindu temple located on the Peacock Island. The temple has been dedicated to Lord Shiva and welcomes thousands of travellers during the auspicious festival of Shivratri. This temple belongs to 1694 AD and features wonderful engravings and sculptures showcasing the creativity of Assamese artisans.
Assam State Zoo is an ideal spot for family vacationers visiting Guwahati. The zoo houses some rare and endangered species of wildlife. Let your little angels enjoy a walk amidst nature to spot animal exhibits, an in-house museum, a reptile house, a botanical garden and a herbarium collection. The zoo offers great opportunities to click some amazing pictures of wild animals from a closer perspective.
Another exciting wonder for those with kids is the Guwahati Planetarium opened to raise awareness about astronomy. Here daily sky watching sessions and special programs are conducted in three languages - English, Hindi and Assamese - to teach visitors about astronomy, universe and its unknown mysteries. Visitors can also partake in various workshops, conferences, quizzes and seminars organised here which bestow great fun.