Guwahati

Navagraha Temple: Located on the Chitrashal Hill, this is a red beehive shaped temple dedicated to the nine planets. Within this temple are nine shivalingams covered in cloth of different colours representing the nine planets. These shivalingams surround another larger shivalingam, which represents the sun.
Open from: 4.00 am-1.00 pm; 3.00 pm-9.00 pm

Other Temples: Located above the Kamakhya Temple is the Bhubaneshwari Temple, which offers splendid views of the city. The Umananda Mandir is located on Peacock Island and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Accessible by a boat, the temple has intricate rock-cut carvings of Surya, Ganesha, Shiva, Devi and Vishnu. Another ancient temple is the Ashvakranta Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna as Vishnu. Here, Vishnu is shown reclining on the Adishesha serpent and Brahna seated with a lotus emerging from his navel. The idol of Vishnu is flanked by rows of naga kanyas, who appear worshipping him. The Tamreshwari Temple in Sadiya is a site for tantric worship. Also known as Khajuraho of Kamrup, Madan Kamadev Temple is located in the Kamrup valley area. The temple has interesting images carved out of a monolith. The main deity is Lord Shiva and other idols present include Uma and Maheswar, a six headed Bhairab, a 4 armed Shiva, demons, men and women.

One of the most important temples of the Shakti cult, the patron deity of Hatimura Temple is Mahisamardini, manifestation of Goddess Durga. The idol is shown having ten hands, holding 10 different weapons. Dedicated to Shiva, Dah Parbatiya Temple was once one of the most important temples here. Today it stands in ruin, though this in no way undermines the exquisite sculptural specimens that have been unearthed. The temple walls are adorned with sculptures from the epics. One of the most exciting discoveries in this temple is the ceiling which has a carved lotus surrounded by gods and goddesses. Another temple dedicated to Shiva is the Sukreswara Temple, whose significance stems from the large linga it houses, called the Sukreswara linga.
Open from: Bhubaneshwari Temple - sunrise-sunset
Umananda Temple - 6.00 am-1.00 pm; 3.00 pm-6.00 pm
Ugratara Temple - 6.00 am-2.00 pm; 3.00 pm-7.00 pm

Basisthashram: Located some 12 kms from the station up the Sandhyachal Hills, the Basisthashram is a much-visited spot. Believed to have been the abode of Sage Bashistha, the ashram has an old shrine housed in lush greenery. The streams, namely Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta are said to flow here together.

Sri Purva Tirupati Balaji Temple: This is one of the most recent temples created in pure white and dedicated to Lord Balaji. The main idol is carved out of a single rock weighing almost 4 tonnes! At the entrance, you'll find a Ganesha shrine, which has a towering Rajgopuram rising to 70 ft.

Assam State Museum: Located in the heart of Guwahati, this museum is an excellent archeological, ethnographic and natural history museum. It contains a variety of artifacts, religious sculptors, relics and a reconstructed tribal village that provides wonderful insight into everyday tribal life. Other interesting exhibits include weaving, musical instruments, religious sculptures, relics from the World War I, coins, manuscripts and crafts.
Open from: 10.00 am-4.15 pm, Tuesday - Sunday

Assam State Zoo and Botanical Gardens: A combination of a zoo and botanical garden, this is a popular picnic spot. It has a large variety of orchids, together with several varieties of shrubs and plants. The zoo houses animals like tigers, leopards and the one-horned rhinoceros typical to Assam.
Open from: 7.00 am-4.30 pm, Saturday - Thursday

Guwahati Planetarium: This old fashioned planetarium has an entertaining astronomy show several times a day. Try and catch at least one of the shows in English.

Kaziranga National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Kaziranga is famous as the abode of the one-horned rhinoceros. Located along the Brahmaputra River, its other attractions include Elephants, Bison, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer, Sloth Bears, Tigers, Leopard Cats, Otters, Hog Badgers, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild Buffalo, Pythons and Monitor Lizards. It is also an ornithologist's paradise and popular bird sightings include Buzzard, Black-Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Fishing Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle and Himalayan Griffon. The park is home to several migratory birds like the Greylag Geese, Falcated Duck, Red-Crested Pochard, Herons, Pelicans and Northern Shoveller.

Manas Tiger Reserve: Another World Heritage site, this is the one of the two Tiger Reserves in Assam situated on the banks of River Manas against the backdrop of the Himalayan hills. Manas is known for its Project Tigers, Rhinos and Elephants and is also home to other species including Golden Langur, Wild Buffalo, Hispid Hare, Pigmy Hog, Capped Langur, Indian one-horned Rhinoceros, Elephant, Gaur and Hog Deer. This Reserve is at a distance from Guwahati and can be accessed by a taxi or cab.