A GUWAHATI ITINERARY: UMANANDA ISLAND AND GUWAHATI ROPEWAY ~ Lukhendro Keisham

A GUWAHATI ITINERARY: UMANANDA ISLAND AND GUWAHATI ROPEWAY

(Travelogue by Lukhendro Keisham)

Guwahati Ropeway Project's capsule.

After a good night's sleep, as usual the third day of our Guwahati itinerary began with an early lunch. We took a traditional e-rickshaw to enjoy the city view on our way to Umananda Ghat.

Set in its pristine form the Umananda River Island also known as Peacock Island in the middle of Brahmaputra River is an immemorial sanctuary of Lord Shiva. We opted for the government operated ferry, priced at Rs. 40/- per person for a round trip from the Southern Bank. The private ferry service asked Rs.200/- for the same journey.

Standing on the afterdeck, surrounded by water, it was mesmerizing as the cold breeze brushed against our faces under a misty winter sun. With arms wide open, a sense of freedom and relief settled in.

Umananda River Island, view from ferry.

As we anchored on the shore of Umananda, we were greeted by a staircase leading to the Umananda Devaloi, the Lord Shiva Temple. We purchased flowers and removed our shoes, as one must leave them outside before making the final ascent to the temple yard. Entry to the temple was free of charge, and there was only one queue for all visitors.

Inside Umananda Temple's hall, visitors queueing inside.

As we reached the temple yard, we joined a queue that runs inside the temple hall itself. Here, we met all our fellow passengers who had traveled with us on the ferry. The inner sanctum lies within a dark, underground section of a dome-shaped structure at the far end of the temple complex. We offered flowers, and the priest recited a separate shloka (verse) for us. The island also features shrines dedicated to other deities, including Lord Hanuman, scattered across its serene landscape.

On our way back, we boarded a different ferry using the same tickets we had purchased earlier. After a short walk to the left of the ghat along the same Mahatma Gandhi Road was our next stop, the Guwahati Ropeway Project.

Guwahati Ropeway Project's complex.

The south campus of the Guwahati Ropeway Project is set in a clean and well maintained complex. Tickets for the rides are easily available at the ticketing block inside the campus, priced at Rs.200/- per person for a round trip. Passengers can also opt for a one-way pass at Rs. 100/- per person to cross the river, but we chose the round trip pass. All passengers must pass through a security screening and wait for their turn in the waiting area. When our turn arrived, we were guided to a lift that opens up at the platform level.

Guwahati Ropeway, leaving the shore.

Once suspended, we could see the shore below, leaving it behind. We were exposed to a 360° view of the vast Brahmaputra River. As we moved ahead, we had a drone-like view of Umananda Island below, passing directly over it. A surge of adrenaline kicks in whenever our ropeway capsule approaches a pylon tower, followed by a slight drop into the catenary curve. The setting sun against the clear sky, the incomplete Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu bridge stretching with all its might to connect the shores, and the rippling sand waves on the riverbed as we draw closer to the northern bank — a moment too brief to absorb completely.

A one-way trip takes about 15 minutes. Due to the closing hour and with only a return trip left for the day, we didn’t have time to explore the northern bank. Caged in a cell once again, we were transported back, period.

To continue the day, we later explored Pan Bazar and the famous Fancy Bazar. The crowded marketplace was filled with shops and stalls offering a variety of items like clothing, jewelry, accessories, and household goods, which were particularly appealing to women. On our way back, we took a public electric bus.

Ropeway passing over Umananda River Island

The fourth day was reserved for the unplanned. By now, we had completed everything on our wishlist. Unlike the usual Manipuri food, we tried Naga cuisine for lunch. Then, we took a tour of Paltan Bazar and the surrounding markets, buying a few things to send home via courier. The whole day passed by quickly.

It was our final day in the city. We dropped off our parcel for Imphal at a nearby courier service. After lunch, we checked out of the lodge in the early afternoon to save on a day's charges.

After a quick search, we headed to the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden. It was only after we arrived that we learned the zoo is closed every Friday, a public notice at the gate reads. There were many others like us as well.

City Center, largest mall in North East India

Without wasting a bit we walked till City Center, the largest shopping mall in North East India. The Christmas vibe was all around. After a quick tour here and there, we made our way back to the lodge where we had left our luggage, even though we had already checked out.

We enjoyed our final meal in the city and headed to the railway station in an e-rickshaw. Boarding the Avadh Assam Express from Guwahati Railway Station at 10:00 PM on December 20, 2024, we arrived at Barabanki Junction Railway Station at 3:53 AM on December 22, 2024.

View of G.S Road from a footbridge.

Guwahati has undergone remarkable growth over the years, evolving into a vibrant urban center. With advancements in infrastructure, commerce, and connectivity, it has firmly established itself as one of India’s prominent cities. The city now boasts an updated railway station, multiple flyovers and underpasses, eco-friendly public transport, improved traffic management, well-maintained roads, public escalators on footbridges, pocket parks, strict sobriety checkpoints, and, most notably, a cleaner environment—something that many cities lack.

It took a while to get familiar with the changing cityscape we knew a decade ago. It was indeed the best travel itinerary we've had since our wedding.