Guwahati
Assam · Kamrup Metropolitan · 55m
Gateway to the Northeast — ancient Kamakhya Temple, Brahmaputra river cruises, and the crossroads of seven sisters.
Why Special
Guwahati is the largest city in Northeast India and the mandatory transit hub. Kamakhya Temple (one of 51 Shakti Peeths) sits atop Nilachal Hill with panoramic river views. Brahmaputra sunset cruises are spectacular. Umananda Temple on river island, Assam State Museum, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (rhinos, 50km away). The city's Ambubachi Mela (June) draws millions. Direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore.
Festivals & Events
Bihu (Rongali/Bohag)
AprMid-April (around Apr 14-15)
Assamese New Year harvest festival — Bihu folk dance, buffalo fights, community feasts, and the sound of the dhol across every village. Assam's biggest celebration.
The heartbeat of Assamese identity — harvest, dance, and new beginnings.
Ambubachi Mela
JunJune (3 days, varies)
Annual fertility festival at Kamakhya Temple — the temple closes for 3 days as the goddess is believed to menstruate. Reopens with massive celebration, tantric rituals, and lakhs of pilgrims.
India's most powerful tantric gathering — fertility, shakti, and ancient ritual.
Infrastructure Reality
Network Coverage
Full 4G/5G coverage. All networks work. Last point of full connectivity before rural NE.
WiFi: Hotels, cafes, airport, railway station
Medical & Emergency
Hospital: GMCH (Guwahati Medical College) — well-equipped. Nemcare Hospital, Downtown Hospital (private)
Ambulance: 108 active. Private ambulance services available.
Police: Multiple — Paltan Bazar PS, Pan Bazar PS, Dispur PS
Getting There
Major city with direct flights from Delhi (2.5hr), Mumbai (3.5hr), Kolkata (1.5hr).
Roads: Good highways connecting to all NE states.
Public transport: City buses, autos, Ola/Uber available. Railway station central.
Fuel & Stay
Fuel: Multiple across city
EV charging available
Stay: ₹₹500-1200/night — Paltan Bazar guesthouses – ₹1500-4000/night — Hotel Dynasty, Kiranshree Grand/night
Helpline: 100 (police), 108 (ambulance), 1091 (women)
The stay decisions worth flagging in Guwahati.
Guwahati is Assam's gateway — base for Kamakhya Temple (Shakti Peeth), Brahmaputra cruises, and onward travel to Kaziranga, Meghalaya, and NE states. Stay scene: Vivanta Guwahati (Taj, GS Road central), Radisson Blu Guwahati (airport side), Novotel Guwahati GS Road. Most visitors stay 1-2 nights as part of larger NE trips. Brahmaputra river cruises depart from Fancy Bazaar ghat.
Vivanta Guwahati (Taj Hotels) is ₹3-5k more per night than Radisson Blu Guwahati — what you get: central GS Road location with shopping and restaurants walking distance, Taj-brand service (mixed reviews but generally stronger than Radisson's). Radisson gives you airport proximity and closer positioning to most tourist attractions. The delta buys you central location, not consistently better service.
Vivanta Guwahati (Taj Hotels)
GS Road central location — walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and the heart of Guwahati. Outdoor pool, spa, sauna, fitness centre. Taj-brand service (2026 reviews are mixed — some impeccable, some below expectations). The default Guwahati 5-star.
Radisson Blu Guwahati
Radisson-brand reliability with airport proximity — good for 1-night stopovers before flights to Kaziranga, Arunachal, or Mumbai connections. Closer to many tourist attractions than Vivanta. Pool, spa, business facilities.
Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok
Situated on the Brahmaputra riverbank with direct access to ghats, close to Kamakhya Temple (4 km), and Guwahati Railway Station (3 km).
Bonhomie Farm & Leisure
Working tea-garden property 45 minutes from Guwahati where guests pick tea leaves, cook Assamese meals, and sleep in traditional cottage stays.
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Neighborhood guide
Where to base yourself, by vibe.
Daily Budget Reality
Budget
₹1,200Mid-range
₹3,200Luxury
₹7,500💡 Brahmaputra cruise ₹500-2000. Kamakhya Temple free but expect queues.
Crowd Intelligence
Best days: Weekdays
Kamakhya Temple gets extremely crowded during Ambubachi Mela (June). Transit city — most stay 1-2 days.
Food & Dining
Cuisine: Assamese, Bengali, North Indian, Chinese
Try masor tenga (sour fish curry), khar (alkaline dish), pitha (rice cakes). Fancy Bazar and Paltan Bazar areas have everything. Assamese thali is a must.
How to Reach
🌍 For International Travelers
Cultural Context
Gateway to Northeast India. Kamakhya Temple is one of 51 Shakti Peethas — extremely sacred. Remove shoes, follow temple etiquette. Brahmaputra river culture.
What to Wear
Conservative at Kamakhya Temple — cover shoulders and knees. Casual elsewhere. Warm layers in winter.
Food Safety
Good restaurant infrastructure — Assamese, Bengali, North Indian, and Chinese food. Safe in established restaurants. Avoid street food near temple area. Bottled water.
Common Scams to Watch For
- Overcharging at Kamakhya Temple — auto-rickshaws, puja offerings, and unofficial priests
- Taxi overcharging at railway station/airport
Cards & Cash
Yes — good card and UPI acceptance in Fancy Bazaar, Paltan Bazaar, and commercial areas. ATMs widely available.
English Spoken
Moderate to high — major city with universities and tourism infrastructure.
Phone & SIM
All carriers work well — Jio, Airtel, BSNL, Vi. Good 4G. Buy SIM at airport or Paltan Bazaar.
Nearest Embassy
Kolkata (~1,000km). Guwahati has honorary consular services for some countries.
e-Visa for India. No ILP needed for Assam. Guwahati is the permit hub for Arunachal, Nagaland, and Manipur ILPs.
Meet the Locals
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