The trip was planned for Meghalaya, three hours from Guwahati.
The train number was easy to remember Saraighat Express 12345 departing from Howrah at 15:55 Hours and reaching Guwahati the next day at 09:30 Hours. Why did we choose this?
The idea was to cover two states in parts, not in totality - Assam and Meghalaya, and therefore reaching Guwahati in the morning was important.
There are other trains too like Northeast Express, Brahmaputra mail
Guwahati, Kamrup
The Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam is one of the most revered Shakti Peethas of India. As for the experience at Kamakhya, it is dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya. The temple complex is situated on top of the Nilachal Hill and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
It is also recommended to visit the temple early in the morning to avoid the crowds and long queues. The temple is especially crowded during the annual Ambubachi Mela, which takes place in June and attracts thousands of devotees from all over India.
As a traveler and a spiritual seeker, we decided to begin my trip with a visit to this sacred place and explore the beauty of its culture, history, and spirituality. However the crowd diffused our enthusiasm. We were told, if we had to pray, it can be concluded by 3 or 4 PM. Another three hour journey to Meghalaya was due and we knew, things in the hilly areas sort of slow down by that time.
We managed to talk to a Purohit who arranged sacred water for us and helped us see other idols, which was immensely satisfying. Next time, we had to stay in Guwahati for a day to offer our prayers in that day long queue
The journey to Kamakhya Temple starts from Guwahati Railway Station, which is the nearest station to the temple. After reaching the railway station, we hired an auto to take us to the temple, which is situated on a hill about 8 kilometers from the station. We paused to click photographs
The Kamakhya Temple is one of the busiest pilgrimage destinations in India and draws visitors from all over the country. The temple complex is open from early morning till late evening, and it is best to visit during the early morning hours to avoid the crowds. The temple is an architectural marvel and is a blend of Hindu and Buddhist styles.
The temple complex is spread over several levels and has numerous shrines, each dedicated to different deities. The main temple is dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya, and the architecture of the temple is fascinating, with intricate carvings and designs.
Apart from the main temple, there are several other smaller temples and shrines within the temple complex. The temple complex also has several shops and eateries that offer local delicacies and souvenirs. The awesome architecture and the spirituality of the temple are sure to leave you mesmerized.
There is a direct bus from Kamakhya Temple to Guwahati. We boarded a Tata Sumo heading to Meghalaya. So we saved the auto fare of INR 250 roughly just to reach the Guwahati bus stop from Kamakhya temple
Things to remember
Early morning visit to temple will be less crowded otherwise you will need an entire day. We reached the temple around 11 am and when we got near the queue keeping our luggage at a nearby sweet shop from where we bought our offerings, we were told, we can complete praying only by evening. So staying in Guwahati for a day is better and you can explore in and around the place that day
Ask the Tata Sumo driver where he will drop you in Meghalaya, Police Bazar or else where because even for 2 kms, you will have to pay huge cab fare.
For Meghalaya bus tour next day, book the trip and pay advance before you get into the lodge so that the operator knows how many confirmed bookings they have for a particular route and the daily trip does not get canceled.
Why pollute that beautiful place with cabs when there are well structured, guided tours conducted by Meghalaya Tourism. More on this in my next blog. Leave the place, as you find it - Beautiful and serene!
Even a half visit to Kamakhya left us blessed and we got the Purohit's card for our next trip, if God wills!!
Proceed to watch the photoblog here!!
