24 hours in Guwahati

Guwahati has been hovering a tad below the radar as a tourist destination of choice, which is surprising because it sits on a cultural and spiritual epicenter and is fast emerging as a world-class city. A silent witness to some epic moments in history stretching back to the days of the Mahabharata, it was in this city where the winning march of the seeming to be invincible Mughals came to a grinding halt. Giving the city its majestic charm, is the river Brahmaputra, which flows through its heart and which is intrinsically linked to its destiny. Add to it the gigantic Himalayan ranges and what you get is a tourist’s paradise, a city that could be the answer to your spiritual quest.

Incredibly, the city is so green that you might be pardoned for mistaking it for a resort and falling madly in love with it at first sight. Interestingly, Guwahati refuses to rest on its laurels or live in the past. It has marched on with time and has truly grown into a cosmopolitan city complete with bustling markets, a happening nightlife, a vibrant social circle and modern infrastructure. If you happen to be a wildlife enthusiast, this land of the one-horned rhino could throw one charming bait after another at you, ensnaring you till you get fully entangled! However, just in case you have only 24 hours to explore this beautiful city, here is how you should go about it.