Top Destinations
WALK AROUND THE MYSTIC NATION
Places to be
Destinations
CITY of EASTERN LIGHTS
Situated on the banks of the red river, the Brahmaputra, Guwahati is the gateway to the North Eastern region of India and is a major metropolis. Historically it was called Pragjyotishpur and/or Kamrup. The city is an epitome of amalgamation of the past and the present. Behind the modern structures of the city lies tales that anachronize back to more than thousand years- Kamakhya temple, Sukreswar temple, Umananda temple, Dighali Pukhuri etc have their own legends. Depending on the mood, weather and time of the day one can either go for shopping (for the famed paat muga Assam silk, the unique bell metal items or the ), take a stroll along the river bank or enjoy a cruise on the red river.
WETTEST PLACE
Sohra, commonly known as Cherrapunji (the land of oranges) is a plateau in the hill state of Meghalaya, about 55kms from Shillong, the state capital. Situated at a height of 1430 meters above sea level and overlooking the plains of Bangladesh, it’s one of the wettest places on the earth. Presently, the nearby Mawsynram receives higher rainfall than Sohra. With respect to rain Sohra is unique – receives rain from both the south-western and north-eastern monsoon, resulting in rain throughout the year and most of the rainfall occurs in the morning hours.
For a die-hard traveller the itinerary is never complete without Sohra. It has more to offer to the sight than the rain. The majestic waterfalls, the living root bridges, the awe inspiring caves make Cherrapunji an alluring tourist destination. The surrounding series of ‘grand canyons’ like gorges descending into the deep chasm of the green tropical forests is an added attraction. The matrilineal society of the local Khasi people is a kind of sui generis. One can never get enough of the enticing Sohra.
Paradise of wildlife
The Kaziranga National Park can never be described in words. One needs to see it to understand it. It has the highest population of the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The big five of KNP – rhino, royal Bengal tiger, wild water buffalo, Asiatic elephant and eastern swamp deer is a must see for everyone. It’s a paradise for bird lovers too; numerous migratory birds have made KNP their home. Kaziranga is also noted for its reptile populace –it’s home to two of the world’s largest snakes viz. the Rock Python and the Reticulated Python as well as the longest venomous snake, the King Cobra.
SCOTLAND of EAST
Shillong, the picturesque capital city of Meghalaya is located at the central part of the Shillong plateau at a height of 2,990 Ft above sea level. The city derives its name from “U Blei Shillong”, the God of the Khasis. In the early 19th century when the Britishers first reached Shillong, the rolling hills around the plateau reminded them of Scotland, prompting them to often refer to it as the “Scotland of the East”. A heady mixture of pollution free atmosphere, mesmerizing landscapes, year round comfortable climate, heavy rainfall, spectacular caves, majestic waterfalls, and astounding hospitality makes Shillong a perfect getaway from the chaos of the modern day world. The local people’s love for western music has made the state “The rock capital of India” – another rocking incentive to experience Shillong first hand. Shillong is well connected to rest of India. It’s only about two and half hours by road from Guwahati while there are daily to and from flights between Shillong (Shillong Airport, Umroi) and Kolkata & Jorhat.
A picturesque town in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills, Dawki, or Duki is also called Dauki. In the vicinity of the border between India and Bangladesh, Dawki developed as a trading center. A retreat in this idyllic environment is made possible by the lush greenery, the play of greens and blues in the rivers, the crystal clear streams, and the serenity of the surroundings. For your first post-cold trip, Dawki makes for the perfect destination, whether you want to go on a solo trip to get introspective, go for a romantic weekend in nature, or go with friends and family to enjoy some fun.
To escape the sweltering heat of Indian summer, Arunachal Pradesh is the best retreat. It offers more than what one expects from a holiday destination- freshest air, pristine rivers, wildlife sanctuary, mountain trails, majestic waterfalls, high passes, snow-capped mountains and some pleasantly distinct cultures and tradition. Although Arunachal is one of the largest states of India it has a very sparse population – a fact that ensures that one can enjoy one’s vacation in serenity, a complete deviation from other Indian tourist places.
If we need to describe the highland state of Sikkim in one word, then it’s dainty – small and pretty. It’s the second smallest state in India and the least populated one. Sikkim exults in having an exquisite landscape, comprising snow-capped mountains (including Kangchenjunga, the third-highest peak in the world), lofty mountain passes, gargantuan glaciers, and tranquil and placid alpine lakes, sparkling meandering rivers, drop-dead gorgeous valleys, dense deciduous forest. And the resplendent culture of the inhabitants is like the cherry on top. It’s the perfect getaway for both the adventure seeker and the perpetually time-pressed urbanite looking for some rejuvenation and salvation.