Guwahati

Guwahati: Guwahati was the capital of the Hindu kingdom of Kamarupa (under the name of Pragjyotisa) about 400 ce. In the 17th century, the town repeatedly changed hands between the Muslims and the Ahoms (a Tai-speaking people who had migrated from Yunnan province, China, and ruled much of Assam from the 13th-century ce) until it became the seat of the Ahom governor of Lower Assam in 1681; in 1786 the Ahom King made it his capital. Myanmar (Burmese) held Guwahati from 1816 until 1826 when it became the British capital of Assam. (Source from Britannica)

There are lots of tourists spots:

• Deepor Beel:  protected wetlands harboring rich biodiversity.

• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary:  Wildlife sanctuary on the bank of the Brahmaputra, 35 km from Guwahati.

• Uma Nanda Temple, A 17th century temple on a river island of the same name. It was built by Ahom king Gadapani on this picturesque Brahmaputra isle, also called Peacock island. one can opt a shared motorboat for Rs 50/-(to & fro) and one return on the same or another boat. The island is also a sanctuary for an endangered population of Golden Langurs which you can see from very close quarters.

• Assam State Museum: The museum is closed on Mondays.

• Navagraha Temple: A temple dedicated to nine Celestial bodies is atop the second highest hill in Guwahati.

• Kamakhya Temple: atop the Neelachal hill, an ancient temple associated with many mythological stories. Initially, it was a place of worship for the Kiratas: early settlers of Assam, belonging to Sino-Tibetan origins. The earliest temple was established around 8th to 9th century A.D., which was brought to ruins in the 15th century. Construction of the existing structure was started in the mid 16th century. It is considered one of the 51 Shakti Pithas. The inner sanctum, the garbhagriha, is below ground level and consists of no image but a rock fissure in the shape of a yoni (female genital). Normally it is free of cost but to get quick darshan you can opt VIP costs (500/- per head). According to a legend, the Koch Bihar royal family was banned by Kamakhya Devi herself from offering puja at the temple. In fear of this curse, to this day no descendants of that family dare to even look upward towards the Kamakhya hill while passing by.

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Our Flight was 9am from Delhi. I was as usual reached airport 8:00am & then took the boarding pass. The lady from the boarding counter confirmed to me that I was so late so there was no window seat.

It was a cloudy day, so I told myself, chill baby, there is nothing outside the window except lots of cloudy & hazy weather. But God has a special plan for me. When I tried to take my middle seat, a gal from the window seat ask me to take her window seat. I was super happy.

But the weather was not clear so except cloud nothing was visible. Also, my seat was right side towards Guwahati. Latter Soma(one of our 3 musketeers members) informed me, on the left side you can get the Himalayan views.

We landed at Guwahati airport at about 11:45am. This is a small airport compared to Delhi Airport. Soma booked our lodging near the airport. We just went to the guesthouse & fresh quickly. Then we hit the road again.

We asked the local people regarding the route of Kamakhya Temple. The shrine is located about 20 km from the airport. They told us to take a bus/auto for the same. We took an auto to reach Jhalukbari & from there took a local bus. We reached on the base of the temple within 45mints.

The temple is atop of the Nilachal Hill. So, either to walk uphill to reach the shrine or there is the provision of taking auto which charged Rs. 20/- head.  To reach the temple we have to Then