Author name: Arijit Purkayastha

With a host of interesting places, South Kamrup is a fun day getaway. So start off early from Guwahati. After a 40-kilometre drive, you will reach Dora Beel in Rampur, one of the innumerable beels that makes Assam’s eco-system so vibrant (the state has over 3,500 of them!!). Take a leisurely stroll here and soak […]

Let us not be done and dusted with Sualkuchi (45 kms from Guwahati). It is more than a place where silken dreams are woven; it is where slices of history exist in many forms – architecture, sculpture, and even weaving. Take the history of muga for example, which Sualkuchi’s medieval traders are said to have introduced after

Tezpur, steeped in the Puranic love story of Usha (the daughter of Banasura, a mighty Shiva Bhakt) and Aniruddha (Lord Krishna’s grandson) is a treasure trove for archaeology enthusiasts. Seven km from this City of Eternal Romance lies Garh Doul, a site that dates back to the Salastambha period in 7th century CE. Marked by

A mere 100 kilometres from Guwahati in West Karbi Anglong district is Umswai Valley – Assam’s bamboo county. A scenic cluster of villages inhabited by indigenous Tiwa tribe, here bamboo dominates the village scape—from groves to homestead walls and gates. The journey to Umswai best exemplifies the saying ‘bumpy roads lead to the best places.’

Embark on a journey beyond wildlife from Kaziranga, and you will be surprised by the discoveries. First is a trip to Bokakhat, a mere 30 km away—where you will find the Kuruabahi Satra, a grihasthi satra that is home to householder inmates, unlike the celibate devotees. Its lively ambiance sets the tone for a journey that will

Flanked by hills and the River Brahmaputra, Mayong was once known as the land of the Asuras and until recently, the land of black magic. Today, it is an eclectic mix of ancient tradition, archaeology, birding, river dolphin, rhino sighting, and miles of beautiful green fields. About 40 kms from Guwahati, Mayong is where many

About 4 kms into Guwahati from the airport take a detour via the bypass to be gradually captivated by a mesmerizing water body bound by blue hills. Boasting of rich wetland biodiversity, Deepor Beel (11 kms from airport), a bird sanctuary, is one of the largest beels in the Brahmaputra valley and the only Ramsar

Sonapur, located just 35 kms from Guwahati, is a popular food-trail with recreational activities. Predominantly inhabited by Karbis, one of the most numerous and homogeneous of the many Tibeto-Burman tribes inhabiting Assam, it is also home to Bodos, Tiwas and many other communities, indicating that it is a melting pot of diverse cultures. Dikchak, a

Assam is a great destination for savouring a host of experiences, with handicraft and handloom topping the list. Visits to village homes where weaving is a part of the homestead’s lifestyle is now integral part of tours in the state. It is fascinating to watch looms go clickety-click and threads weave into colourful patterns while

As you drive down to Gauripur from Guwahati, tune in to Goalpariya Lokogeet; you will find no better companion on the 260 km ride than these folk songs that tell you how life is just a journey and how you are born, made and moulded for it. It was first popularised by Goalpariya folk music