Home :: Guwahati
Guwahati
Guwahati is the capital of Assam, the state that dominates the north east of India. There was a time when the entire region was governed from Guwahati. The state is divided into upper & lower Assam by the mighty Brahmaputra River, which flows into Bangladesh. The other river Baral also has large valleys.
WHAT TO SEE:
KAMAKSHYA TEMPLE: 
Set in the sacred Nilachal Hill, overlooking Guwahati town & Brahmaputra, the temple marks the legendary spot where sexual parts of the mother Goddess are believed to fallen on earth. The temple, the centre of the Shakti & Tantra of Hinduism, was originally said to have been built by the divine architect-engineer, Vishwakarma.
BHUBANESHWARI DEVI TEMPLE:
crowing nilachal Hill is another, through smaller, Shakti temple.
NAVAGRAH TEMPLE:
WEST OF Chitrachal Hill is the temple of the nine planets, recalling the time
when Guwahati was the centre of the area’s astronomical & astrological research.
UMANANDA TEMPLE:
In the midst of the Brahamputra forested Peacock Island visible from the bathing steps near the High Court, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
DIBRUGARH AND DIBGOI :
Assam’s mo
EXCURSIONS:
CHANDUBI LAKE:
A natural lagoon, the lake & its surroundings are an excellent picnic & fishing spots. 65Km. away.
DIBRUGARH AND DIGBOI:
Assam’s most important north eastern town, Dibrugarh is a major trading centre. With a large number of tea plantations around it.Dibrugarh is the place where the Brahmaputra is at its majestic best.
HAJO: Situated across the Brahmaputra, 25 Km. away, Hajo is a centre of religious. The hayagriba Madhab temple is well known.
HALFLONG:
This lakeside hill resort lies 680 mts. above sea-level & lonely ideal holiday resort.
JORHAT:
Surrounded by tea plantations this pretty town is the limb of Assam’s tea industry. At the nearby world famous Tocklai Experimental station, research is conducted to develop new varities of tea & also in the therapeutic effects of green sea. Majuli Island in the Brahamputra & is famous for its sastonas or monasteries.
ORANG:
Situated on the northern bank of the river is Brahamputra is the Orang wild sanctuary. Animals to be observed are rhinoceros, tiger, beer etc.
TEJPUR:
This town of considerable antiquity lies on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, 180 Km. from Guwahati, amidst rolling hills.Tezpur has the remains of an earlier town, Sonitpur, which was founded by King Bana.
Konark
One of the world’s greatest marvels and a priceless gem of Orissan art, the Sun Temple at Konark of Konark (the local name), has drawn a veil of mystery around itself. Built in honor of Surya, the Sun god, in the image of the chariot of the Sun with 7 horses (for the 7 days of the week) and 12 pairs of wheels (for the 12 months). What remains today is part of the original massive temple, in fact, only the entrance hall, which itself is 39 meters high, the Dancing Hall, and a ruined temple.
Even today the sun rising from the ocean shines on the three images of
the Morning Sun, the Mid-day Sun and the Evening Sun at different parts of
the day.Architecturally splendid, the Konark temple is also noted for its sculptures, many of which are erotic. Konark has a secluded beach nearby.
WHAT TO SEE:
SEE TEMPLE:
Standing alone on the sandy shores of the Bay of Bengal is the sun Temple, also Known as Black Pagoda. It is a splendid example of Orissa temple is visualized as a chariot. Altough only the entrance hall has remained intact, the ruins of the rest of the structure, with carvings and sculptures along the walls, is testimony to one of India’s grandest temples. Scenes of love, war, court, hunting, elephant-catching, gurus teaching, child birth, dancers, courteous and mythical figures have been carved dexterously on the walls.
AROUND KONARK:
Ten km along the beach on the bank of the river Hurshabhadra is Ramchandi temple, dedicated to a fierce form of Goddess Kali. Kurma is the site of a Buddhist monastery.
Patna
WHAT TO SEE:
GOLGHAR:
Following the famine of 1770 that ravaged the area, this massive structure with a dome was built by Captain John Goustin to serve as the state granary.
HARMANDIR SAHIB:
This shrine consecrates the birth place of tenth religious guru of the Sikh faith, Guru Gobind Singh.
SADAQUAT ASHRAM:
Headquarters of the Bihar Vidyapeeth, a national University established in 1921, and the place from where the Independence struggle was launched in the state.
KUMRAHAR:
By far the most important historical place in Patna. Excavations at the site have revealed the remains part of the ancient city of Pataliputra.
OTHER PLACES:
Patna museum, Quilla House (Jalan Museum), Pathar Ki Masjid, Khuda Baksh Oriental Library, the Nawab Shahid ka maqbara, paschim Darwaza, Padri Ki haveli (an old Roman catholic church built in 1775), Gandhi Museum and the Bihar institute of handicraft and design are of special interest.
EXCURSIONS: 
VAISHALI:
Today a small village surrounded by banana and mango groves and rice fields. But excavations have brought to light the remains of a fort which is said to been built by King Vishal, who has found mention in the epic, Ramayana.Vaishali used to be a republic city-Kingdom and one of the few to survive for a long time against the expansionist empires of Magadha(Modern Patna). It is also the place where Buddha preached his last cermon and mahavir, the founder of Jainism, ws born here in 527 B.C. & lived in Vaishali till he was 22. The pillar is made of sandstone
supporting an inverted lotus shaped capital.
MADHUBANI:
On the border of India and Nepal, the villages in the madhubani area are found the paintings of the same name. Ordinary rural women paint on local cotton with vegetable dyes.
MANER:
Named after the great saint Hazrat makhdum yalriya haneri, it is an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims.
PAWAPURI & SASARAM:
Lord Mahavir, founder of Jainism, attained nirvana at Pawapuri. At Sasaram, is the beautiful tomb of Sher Shah Suri, the 16th century Afghan ruler of the area, who had defeated Humayun’s, Akbar’s father, and captured the throne of Delhi.
STANDARD SIGHTSEEING TOURS:
half day sightseeing tour visiting Harmindir temple in marble built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (19 Century), Golghar Huge Beehive shaped granary; The Patna Museum containing original Chinese and Tibetan scrolls and the Khudabaksh oriental library.
Puri
Puri is one of the four most important religious centers of the Hindus. It is believed that it was once inhabited by Sabaras (Pre Aryan and pre Dravidian tribes).
The car festival(the Rath-Yatra) that takes place in June -July has given the English language the word “Juggernaut” in view of the massive size of the chariot carrying the deity, Lord Jagannath, the lord of the universe. The temple attracts pilgrim by the thousands throughout the year.
Puri is also a sea resort and a large number of beach hotels have come up in recent years of a wide price-range, making it an attractive holiday destination.
WHAT TO SEE:
BEACHES:
Puri’s golden sand are slightly lesser known than its Jagannatha temple. Miles and miles of sand, blue water of the bay of Bengal, the silver surf breaking on the beaches-the sun, the sea and sand. It’s a rejuvenating experience.
JAGANNATH TEMPLE:
The 65 meters high temple built in the typical Kalinga style of architecture dominates the town visually and spiritually. The temple was constructed in the 12TH century during the reign of the Chodaganga Deva. Within the precincts are other shrines developed to Vimala, Vishnu and Lakshmi. Ananda Bazar a large foods market is another attraction.Entry to the temple is restricted to Hindus only.
GUNDICHA GHAR:
On the Garden House is a much smaller sanctum where the deities from the main Jagannath Temple are brought for a Sojourn of one week during the Rath Yatra festival. It is also known as Lord Jagannath’s aunt’s house.
EXCURSIONS:
SHASHI GOPAL:
A temple devoted to Gopal, the child Krishna, has a beautiful life-size image. The legend relates that when Gopal came here regarding a dispute between two Brahmins, he fell in love with the place and hence the temple.
CHILIKA LAKE:
Nestling in the heart of coastal Orissa, the 100 sq. km lagoon is connected t the bay of Bengal by a narrow mouth. Chilika is the largest inland lake in India. Dotted with numerous islands, which have been given very colorful names such as Honeymoon Island, Breakfast Island, the lake is rich in aquatic fauna and migratory bird species.
STANDARD SIGHTSEEING TOURS:
Half day sightseeing visiting the place of pilgrimage for the Hindus. The renowned Jagnnath Temple built in the 15th century A.D. and crowned with Vishnu’s wheel and flag dominate the elaborate carving and mouldings are very fine examples of Orissa architecture.
(Note: - Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple)
Excursion to Konark (64 km.) to see the beautiful sun temple built in the 13th century in honor of the Sun God, containing exquisite carvings, the life size Lions and Elephants Collosal, figures of Warriors on horse, scenes of Battle and the chase-all carved with great imagination and skill, testify of the high standard of ancient Indian art and engineering skill.
Rajgir
WHAT TO SEE:
AJATSHATRU’S FORT:
Ajatshatru was Ashok’s father and reigned during Buddha’s time, in the 6th century B.C. from his capital in Magadh. Ajatshatru built a fort and is also believed to have built a 6.5 sq. metre stupa, which has been named after him.
AMARAVANA OR JIVAKA MANGO GARDEN:
Site of the royal physician’s dispensary where the Buddha was once brought to have wounds dressed by Jivaka, the royal physician during the reign of Ajatshatru and Bimbisana.
VENUVANA:
Site of the monastery Venuvan Vihara built by the King Bimbisana for Buddha to reside. This was the King’s first offering to Buddha and also one of the first Buddhist monasteries.
GRIDDHAKUTA OR VULTURE’S PEAK:
This was the place where Buddha set in motion his second wheel of law and for three month every year during the rainy season preached here. The Buddha Sangha of Japan has constructed a massive modern Shanti stupa at the top of the hill in commemoration. At 7 km. bridle path leads up to the hill but it is much more fun to take the aerial chairlift.
PIPPALA CAVES, THEWATCH TOWER:
Above the hot springs on Vaibhara hill is a rectangular stone sculpted by the forces oh the nature which appears to have been used as a watch tower. Since it later became the retreat of pious hermits, it is also called Pippala Cave and Jarasandh ki Baithak after Jarasandh, an enemy of the Pandavas mentioned in the epic Mahabharata.
JAIN TEMPLE:
In the distance, a hard trek away on the hill crests around Rajgir there are 26 Jain temples of varying age.
EXCURSIONS:
NALANDA:
Nalanda, along with Taxila, were the two most famous center of learning in ancient India. The ruined of Nalanda lie 12 Km. from Rajgir but when it was established both Buddha and Mahavira visited the university which continued to florish till the 12th century AD. The Chinese traveler Huien Tsang spent many years here as a student and then as a teacher. Nagarjuna, the Mahayana Buddhist Philosopher, Dinnaga, the logician, and Dharmpala, a renowned Brahmin Scholar taught here. Over 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students studies here at one time. Ashoka built a Vihara, Harshvardhan gifted a 26 meter high copper statue of Buddha, and Kumaragupta endowed a college of fine art.
STANDRAD SIGHTSEEING TOURS:
The Buddha Preached at Rajgir and so did Mahavir, the great preceptor of the Jains. Rajgir’s hills are known for a large number of Buddhist and Jain monuments, including stupas and forts- a rare combination of Buddhism and Jainism. There are a number of hot springs and pools here and the water of the sulphur springs is believed to cure certain skin disease. In the nearby Pilpa Cave, Buddhist sages used to medicate.
Sunderbans
From Distance Driving Time
Kolkata 131 km. 4 hr. 0 min. Getting There
Destination Description
The Sunderbans is an estuarine mangrove forest turned into a tiger reserve. For a real wild holiday, there is little to beat the myriad charms of the Sunderbans. The wildlife in Sunderbans includes, other than the Royal Bengal tiger, barking deer and spotted deer, monkeys, civet cats, monitor lizards and otters. You can also spot aquatic wildlife such as Olive Ridley turtles, estuarine crocodiles, river terrapins, Gangetic dolphins, black finless porpoises, catfish, mudskippers, crabs, shrimps and lobsters in the SunderbansIf you are looking for an unusual honeymoon destination, look no further than the Sunderbans.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to come here is from October to April, when the rains have petered out and the weather is cool.
Accommodation Option
Accommodation options are limited here – the main draw is the tourist lodge at Sajnekhali and some private camps. Be sure to book in advance.
Activities
Respond to the call of the wild at the Sunderbans. Track the dangerous (often man-eating) King of Beasts, the Royal Bengal Tiger in the Sunderbans.
Places Nearby
Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary, Bhagabatpur Crocodile Park, Jambudwip, Sagar, Lothian, Kailash and Holiday Island.
Things To Pack
Besides some walking shoes aand mosquito repellant, be sure to pack a good pair of binoculars.
India Tours Destination - Reservation Form
