5 Things That Can Be Great Souvenirs from Guwahati

 

Shopping for souvenirs is a must before leaving a place known for its culture and traditions. Guwahati is a similar place. From traditional embroidery and special fabrics to local handicrafts, food, and beverages, you can explore numerous souvenir options in the city. If you live, for instance, in Delhi, simply take a Delhi to Guwahati flight to reach the city in 2.5 hours. Then head straight to the famous markets and street-shopping hubs of the city to check out these items.

1. Assam Tea Leaves

The largest tea-producing state in India, Assam is among the few places in the world where tea is cultivated on the plains. It is the world's largest bordering region of tea plantations which extends to the Calchar hills, the northern Brahmaputra valley, Karbi, and the southern Barak valley.

Assam tea is renowned for its malty taste, rich colour, and deep fragrance. CTC tea leaves of the state are noted for their availability in diverse fresh irresistible flavours.

After deboarding your Delhi to Guwahati flight, you can head straight to the local markets in Guwahati and bag some fragrant tea leaves.

2. Assam Silk

Assam is well-known for producing some of the finest varieties of silk. Due to its superior quality, Assam silk is reasonably expensive.

The three chief kinds of silk available here are Eri, Pat, and Muga silk. Among them, Eri silk is a little unrefined and coarse and essentially used to produce shawls. Muga silk is widely used to create "mekhela chador" (traditional dresses for women) and elegant kurtas and sarees. Pat silk is smoother and used to make various garments. It will, for instance, make a perfect summer dress.

3. Phulam Gamocha

Gamocha/Gamosa/Gamusa in Assamese means towel and represents the culture of the state. It is a prime part of almost all cultural and social ceremonies there. The famous Plulam Gamusa is usually a white rectangular cloth with red woven motifs on one side and red borders on the other side. Sometimes, other colours are used as well. You can shop for these traditional Assamese towels in any of the local Gamosa shops in Guwahati.

4. Local Pickles

Assam, like some other North East states, is popular for delicious pickles. These homemade pickles are mostly spicy and tangy and available in several variants.

The pickles are prepared in organic ways. They are made from various local herbs and infused with chicken, sesame, beef, pork, bamboo shoots, and even dried fish. While making them, the pickles are dipped in vinegar, plain salt, and mustard oil, and dried under the sun before storing them.

A pack of unique pickles is a must-buy after your Delhi to Guwahati flight lands.

5. Handmade Toys

Assamese toys are traditional and ethnic, and carved into various mythological figures and animals by the local craftsmen. Handmade toys can be classified under cloth-and-mud toys, cloth toys, wooden, pith and bamboo toys, and clay toys. The Goalpara district, in particular, is known for its pith or cork toys.

Shop for your favourite Assam handicrafts and bring them back home as precious souvenirs after booking your flight tickets from Guwahati to Delhi.