Guwahati

Guwahati is the largest city in Assam and the gateway to Northeast India, set on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River. As the commercial and administrative hub of the region, it combines a riverside old town, hilltop temples and fast-growing modern districts with the state capital complex at Dispur. Long known as Pragjyotishpura in ancient times, Guwahati has a history stretching back more than two millennia. The Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill is one of India's most important Shakti shrines and draws pilgrims year-round, while the Umananda Temple on Peacock Island and the Navagraha Temple on Chitrachal Hill give the city its reputation as the City of Temples. Central neighbourhoods such as Pan Bazaar, Paltan Bazaar, Fancy Bazaar and Uzan Bazaar preserve the character of the old city, with markets, colonial-era buildings and the Brahmaputra riverfront. South of the centre, areas like Ganeshguri, Beltola and Six Mile have grown along the Guwahati-Shillong Road into residential, shopping and business zones around Dispur. Guwahati is also a centre for education, trade, tea, tourism and events, with institutions such as IIT Guwahati nearby and the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra showcasing Assamese culture. Its food scene ranges from Assamese thalis and river fish to street snacks and cafés, while festivals such as Bihu bring the city alive for both leisure and business visitors.