The river Brahmaputra has the final say as far as the lifestyles and survival of the Assamese in general and Guwahati populace in particular are considered. However, even the great Brahmaputra has to make way for the Gods when they decide to invade the river’s territory and build their abode smack in the middle of it.
Located on a beautiful location on an island (Peacock Island), the temple can be reached only by motor boats or ferries. This island temple offer great views of its surroundings.
The Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, as the name suggests, is a platform, huge canvas to be precise, for the local talent to fill up with the colours of various art forms. The place is named after the Vaishnav saint and an avid integrator of the Assamese society Srimanta Sankardeva.
This multi-Arts complex located on the on Shillong road was started in 1998 to promote the local dance, drama, music and art talent. Sankaradeva himself a great artist (saint, poet, scholar, social reformer and preacher) is an ideal person to lend his name and motivate the talent.
The kalakshetra houses a museum, an art gallery, an open-air theatre and traditional Vaishnavite temples. It is also possible to scan the local handicraft produce and bargain for a good deal.
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The city of Guwahati has the unique distinction of being associated with both the epics of Hinduism - the Ramayana through Sage Vasishtha and the Mahabharata through Pandu. The Subarban town of Pandu is named after King Pandu (father of the famous five Pandavas). The Tila Hills in the town has temple dedicated to Pandu (the Pandunath temple).
Nestled on a hillock called 'Hasti', the Surkresvara temple is a beautiful temple of Assam. The hillock is said to be the Ashrama (hermitage) of the sage 'Sukra'. According to Kalika Purana Sukresvara Linga was installed here. The temple is located on the bank of the mighty river Brahmaputra in Guwahati.
From the Planetarium explaining the planets to the nine temples devoted to these celestial bodies, Guwahati has it all. Situated on the hilltop of the Chitrasal Hill or popularly known as Navgraha Hill (the hill of Nine Planets).The nine are temples dedicated to Surya (Sun) Chandra(Moon), Chevaai/Mangal(Mars), Budhan (Mercury), Guru/Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (Head of Demon Snake) and Ketu (Tail of Demon Snake).
The Nilachal Hill situated at a distance of 7 km from Guwahati is of great historical, archeological as well as religious importance. This hill believed to be a 'Khasi' sacrificial site earlier, now has a group of ancient temples on the top; the largely eminent of them is the Kamakhya temple. The temple of Goddess Shakti or Kamakshya is the oldest and most revered centre for Shakti worship leading to the spread of the sect Tantrik Hinduism.
The temple was built by the king of the Koch Dynasty in 1565. Its architecture reflects the perfect form of the medieval architectural style. The temple was destroyed in the 16th century itself and was rebuilt in the 17th century by the king Nara Naryana of Cooch Bihar.
The Shukleshwar hillocks situated near the Shukleswar Ghat of the mighty Brahmaputra house the Janardana temple. The Janardhana temple has an idol of Buddha installed inside the main hall. The temple is believed to be much older than the renovated date of 17th century and the architecture and the construction style reflects a strong influence of a mix of Hinduism over Buddhism.
The hillock is situated right at the heart of the city of Guwahati and the view from the temple and its surroundings of that of the city and the prodigious Brahmaputra is mesmerizing.
Located in mesmerizing surroundings, the Hermitage of Vasistha is an important pilgrimage centre of Assamese. It is also known as the Vasistha Ashram. It is located around ten miles from Guwahati. There is a temple located next to the Hermitage of Vasistha. It is dedicated to lord Shiva. It was built by the king Rajeshvar Singh of the Ahom dynasty in the 18th century. Devotees come here to take blessings from the lord. Another attraction of Hermitage of Vasistha is the presence of three holy streams named 'Sandhya', 'Lalita' and 'Kanta'. It is believed that if one takes a bath here, then one not only increases the span of his/her life but also washes away one's sins.
The Bhubaneshwari temple appears like a tiny spec from the city of Guwahati. This white shrine perched atop a hill adjacent to the city is a major draw amongst the religious pilgrims. The temple dedicated to Goddess Bhubaneshwari has a beautiful surrounding of lush green plantation and provides an equally magnificent vie of the city of Guwahati.
The enchanting view of the sunset on the Brahamputra River as viewed from the hill attracts many tourists. Though the temple is high upon a hill, it requires a 20 minutes walk from the Bus Stand below to reach the Bhubaneshwari temple.