"Gauhati: The Gateway to Mystic North East" Gauhati by goutammitra

Gauhati Travel Guide: 26 reviews and 100 photos

Me at our Guwahati office with a Japi ( Jhapi)

The Land of Mother Kamrup Kamakhya( Goddess Durga)

Guwahati is a major city in eastern India, with a population of 1.4 million people. The largest city in the North-East Region of India, it is considered to be the "gateway" to the region. Dispur, the capital of the Indian state of Assam, is located within the city. Guwahati is one of the most rapidly growing cities in India; during the past few decades it has experienced expansion and also a steep rise in population. According to a survey done by a UK media outlet, Guwahati is among the 100 fastest growing cities of the world, and is the 5th fastest growing among Indian cities.
The city is situated between the southern bank of the Brahmaputra river and the foothills of the Shillong plateau, with LGB International Airport to the west, and the town of Narengi to the east. The city is gradually being expanded as North Guwahati to the northern bank of the Brahmaputra. The Guwahati Municipal Corporation, the city's local government, administers an area of 216 km², while the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority, the planning and development administers an area of 340 km².
Guwahati is a major commercial and educational center of North-East India and is home to world class institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. The city is also a major center for cultural activities and sports in the North Eastern region and for the administrative and political activities of Assam. The city is also an important hub for transportation in the North East Region.

Bihu Festival of Assam.

Modern Guwahati it is 5th Fastest growing city of

We went there when Bihu festival was being celebrated in all over Assam in full swing.

The Bihu dance is a folk dance from the Indian state of Assam related to the festival of Bihu. This joyous dance is performed by both young men and women, and is characterized by brisk dance steps,and rapid hand movement. Dancers wear traditionally colorful Assamese clothing.
The Bihu dance is performed in conjunction with traditional Bihu folk music, played with: the "dhol", similar to a drum; the mohor singor pepa, a pipe instrument made from a buffalo horn; the tala, a cymbal; the gogona, a reed and bamboo instrument; and the toka, a bamboo clapper. The songs (bihu geet) that accompany the dance have been handed down for many generations. The subject of the lyrics ranges from welcoming the Assamese new year to describing the daily life of a farmer, from historical references of invasions to Assam to contemporary socio-political commentary in a satirical way.
The dance takes several forms among the different northeast Indian tribes, e.g., the "Garo Bihu dance" and the "Khasi Bihu dance." However, the underlying goal of the dance remains the same: to express the desire to feel both pain and happiness.
n mid April, along with the onset of spring, falls the new year in the local calendar with the month of Bohag. Nowadays, during this period, there are Bihu competitions all over the Assam (as well as throughout the major locations with Assamese diaspora. These competitions attract visitors and locals alike in huge throngs. Apart from Bihu dance, there are competitions held to select the Bihu Konwori (Bihu Princess) and various singing talents.
At the end of the month of Bohag there is also the farewell to the month commemorated by numerous Bohagi Bidai functions.

Guwahati from Kamakhya Temple

Pros and Cons

Pros:Extremely Friendly people, very rich in culture!
Cons:City has narrow roads and high on Pollution
In a nutshell:Very warm & friendly place!

Last visit to Gauhati: Apr 2010
Intro Updated May 9, 2010
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Reviews (11)

Japi & Gamucha for Traditional welcome in Assam - Gauhati

Japi & Gamucha for Traditional welcome... Local Customs (1)

TBD more travel advice

Nepali Temple at Pan Bazaar Things to Do (5)

more travel advice

Don't miss their Tandoor Chicken Restaurants (2)

We had our first meal at Guwahati at this place. The first time we went there in March'10. After landing we had Chicken... more travel advice

View from Nilachal Hills Things to Do (5)

We really had a very hurried Guwahati trip both the time. We could hardly see anything we desired, though I have taken... more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All The Best way to see Guwahati is by Bus...

Off The Beaten Path (1)
Song & Dance of Assam : Bihu Dance

Comments (4)

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barbskie May 27, 2010 at 3:34 PM

you've done it goutam! great tips here. thanks
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Faiza-Ifrah May 26, 2010 at 4:27 PM

very detailed information. i liked the one on rivers. had heard the names but did not know the significance and how delta of sunderbans was formed. i will watch videos of Bihu dance soon.
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SLLiew May 9, 2010 at 2:26 PM

Another amazing place in India to visit!
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marvelous_girl May 4, 2010 at 7:26 AM

Nice Tips.i really enjoyed reading them.I would love to visit this place.