5 Unique Souvenirs to Collect from Guwahati

 

How can a visit to the Gateway of North East India end without bringing back some mountain charm? Before you return on your Guwahati to Kolkata flight, spend a day shopping and collecting some specials from the city of the one-horned rhinoceros.

Here are five impossible-to-miss picks for your Guwahati trip:

1.    Assam Tea

Nothing is better than the unmatched aroma and rich flavour of tea leaves from the capital of the Tea Garden of India. Take back home this strong, brisk, and malty-tasting black tea to charge you up on mornings you find it unbearable to step outside. It is the only place where tea is grown on plains. Make sure you buy from government-recognized stores selling authentic Assam tea only.

2.    Pickles

North-eastern spices are found nowhere else across India. These native spices are used to prepare pickles using traditional methods. Pickle of Ghost Pepper or Bhut Jolokia as locals call it came to India from Bhutan. It is one of the hottest chillies in the world. Thousands of women all over Assam make Bhut Jolokia pickel to sell and have with meals. Be sure to taste before you buy! If it is too spicy for you, buy a pickle that uses pepper only as an ingredient in the spice mix. Olive and bamboo shoot pickles are also quite popular among visitors in Guwahati.

3.    Assam Silk

"Assamese women weave fairy tales in their clothes!" That is what mahatma Gandhi said when he first came across the finesse of the craft. The silk woven in Assam has an immense artistic sensibility and is linked to Assamese folklore intricately. Assam produces three types of silk – Eri, Muga, and Paat. Of these, Muga is the most famous one for its natural gold sheen. You can buy shirts, kurtas, saris, and suits. If you are a fan of authentic craft and traditional attire Mekhela Chador is your best bet. It is three-piece attire like the lehenga worn in north India. However, the dupatta is draped to look like the waterfall drape of a sari. 

Nowadays, you can even get the outfit pre-stitched, so you don’t have to learn the designer drape. It is available in most natural fabrics from silk to linen and cotton. People often take a Kolkata to Guwahati flight just to shop for the most exquisite Assam silk apparel.

4.    Masks

Majuli is a river island that is known for its culture. And masks are a representation of the same. It has many instructional centres called satras where priests make these masks of mythological characters. You would have spotted one if you ever read or saw of Assamese culture. Made with bamboo, cloth, and clay, these are prominently used in theatre and local festivals.

5.    Phulam Gamucha

The global symbol of Assamese culture is a white or cream-coloured towel with bright red embroidery on all sides. It is considered a symbol of respect and royalty in the state. No event social, political, or cultural is complete without honouring the guests with a gamucha. 

If that is not all, you can buy some bell metal cutlery, wooden and bamboo handicrafts, and the funnel-shaped hat called Japi. Gift your friends and family these Assamese memorabilia to let them know how much you missed them on the trip. You can buy these from the Fancy Bazar, known as Chandni Chowk of the North East. Be sure to set aside a day for shopping before you book tickets for Kolkata to Guwahati flight.

5 Must Visit Places In Doha

 

Doha is a world of its own. It is fascinating yet bizarre; it is Qatar’s capital city. It is a combination of a desert with an avant-garde landscape with the tallest buildings adorning the skyline. It is the land of money; in fact, it has more money than any other place in the world. It has become a tourist hub that is fast attracting people to its city. And for a mesmerizing view of the ultramodern landscape, you can catch one of those Delhi to Doha flights. 

 

5 Must Visit Places To Visit While In Doha

 

1. Museum Of Islamic Art

 

This is the meeting point of the art of three continents, all housed in one building – the Museum of Islamic Art. Although it is not a religious institute, it has a prayer room for its visitors.

 

2. National Museum Of Qatar

 

It is a huge and unique piece of architecture that spreads over an area of 1.5 km and is the place that best describes the history and culture of the country. From the beginning when Qatar came into existence to the modern day – it houses its history right through time. The museum building tells the history of Qatar in three different stages – The beginning, Life in Qatar, and the modern history of Qatar. Each phase is depicted in 11 separate galleries and is a treat to the eyes.

 

3. Desert Trips

 

When you visit a desert nation, and you have not made a trip to the desert itself, then your journey is not complete. It is a desert safari that you must take in SUVs. But a fascinating part is when you witness the most desperate of all stunts for the experience of a lifetime. And the most magnificent part is witnessing the huge golden dunes with the sunset as the backdrop. 

 

4. Barzan Towers

 

The high points were built in the late 19th century; they are watchtowers situated on the southern side of the country’s defensive system. It is 16 feet in height and was built to watch over the ships entering the city. There are two more protected buildings, one on the northern side and the other on the western side. The buildings are now complete with air conditioners inside for relief from the scorching heat of the sun.

 

5. Katara Cultural Village

 

It is a cultural village that is a convolution of cobbled pathways and alleys that reminds one of the traditional souqs. It is a melting point of the superior-most artwork in the country and represents the creative abilities of a community. If you are a connoisseur of fine arts, then this place is surely going to refresh your artistic senses. 

 

It is an amazing country that one must visit at least once in their lifetime. After your visit there, you can catch the first Doha to Delhi flight home and elate over your visit. 

A Visit to the Serene Pulicat Lake of Chennai

 

Pulicat Lake is a picturesque area situated on the border of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It is the ideal spot for outdoor entertainment. This large reserve, which covers an area of over 600 square kilometers, serves as a bird sanctuary and is a haven of tranquility. Situated around 60 km north of Chennai, with the island of Sriharikota separating it from the Bay of Bengal, this is the perfect destination for bird watchers and ornithologists. The species of birds you will see here include kingfishers, storks and flamingos. The structures here date back to the time the Dutch controlled this town and provide a historic touch to the area. This is the ideal weekend getaway, with lots of sightseeing to take in and water sports to enjoy.

Plan your next vacation and book a flight from Delhi to Chennai to visit this scenic region.

When to Visit?

Any time of the year is appropriate to travel to Pulicat Lake. Given that it is mostly a beach town; it has a tropical climate. However, summer here tends to be very humid. So, from October to March, during the winter, could be the best time to plan a holiday here. Additionally, this is the time of year when migrating birds visit the lake and may be seen in great numbers in the bird sanctuary.

How to Reach?

This well-known tourist destination is situated near the border between the two neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Chennai International Airport, which is roughly 90 km away, is the closest airport. Sullurpet Railway Station, the closest train station, is about 10 km away. By car, the site is accessible from Chennai by taking the route to Nellore. From Chennai's Periyamet Bus Stop, one can board a bus bound for Pulicat.

Special Attractions

At Pulicat Lake, boat trips are well-known. Since you might travel with your family and friends, it makes your weekend break unique. Each ride costs between ₹100 and ₹200.

Fishing is permitted while boating. The boatman or fisherman will provide you with the tools you need and assist you while fishing.

Don’t forget to bring a pair of binoculars to see the natural beauty of the landscape and to observe the birds. Before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m. are the best times to go bird watching.

The atmosphere around Pulicat Lake is serene and comforting. For camping, you can erect a tent or lay a blanket next to the lagoon. Since there are no restaurants around, you must carry snacks.

Nearby Places

To see uncommon bird species, including Kingfishers, Flamingos, Spotbilled Pelicans, Montagues Harriers, Ibises and Cormorants, among others, visit the Nellapattu Wildlife Sanctuary. You can even learn the various botanical names of the trees at the sanctuary.

Another tourist attraction near Pulicat Lake is the Dutch Cemetery, which was built in the 17th century. Tourists also love to visit the decaying remains of an old Danish fort, constructed in 1609.

Click a lot of pictures to show your friends and family when you get home via your Chennai to Delhi flight and cherish these memories whenever you are with loved ones.