Guwahati,, Gateway of Assam

The former capital of Assam-a land of bewitching beauty-Guwahati unfolds a panorama of green paddy fields, dense rain forests teeming with bird and animal life, and vast tea gardens along hill slopes. At its site flourished Pragjyotishpur, the Eastern city of Astrology-a city lavishly praised by the 7th century itinerant Chinese chronicler Hieun T sang. Today, Guwahati is an important business and commucation centre. Situated on the southern bank of Brahmaputra, it is also the cultural and educational nerve centre of east India, besides being a place of pilgrimage. Shaivite, Vaishnavite, Tantric energy (shakti) cults and Buddhism co-exist here in harmony with Islam, Christianity and the “Namghor”-an open hall where devotees merely chant verses of the 17th century reformist, saint Shankar Deva.

The foremost shrine of Assam that attracts devotees is Kamakhya temple, cresting the sacred Nilachal Hills. Dedicated to goddess Kali, it is visited by believers of the Tantric form of Hindustan. In the heart of the city atop Sukleswar hillock, stands Janardan temple. It contains an image of the Buddha representing the assimilation of Hindu and Buddhist. Situated on Peacock Island in the Brahmaputra River, Umananda temple enshrines Lord Siva. Its pictureue location is the site of annual Sivaratri festival.
West of the Chitrachal hill is the temple of Navagraha (nine planets).once it was the seat of astronomy and astrology.The hermitage of sage Basistha the “ Basistha Ashram” is a pilgrim centre of Guwahati.