Places to Visit Near Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati

The domes of Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill, where your trip starts. Photo: Nayan Jyoti Nath, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Nearby Places Worth Your Time

कामाख्या के पास घूमने की जगहें

Page 3 of 6. Checked 16 October 2026

Kamakhya is only the start of a Guwahati trip. Within about an hour you can reach a river-island temple, a hilltop planet temple, a quiet forest ashram and a sunset ghat on the Brahmaputra. A little farther, you can visit Hajo, Madan Kamdev and the rhinos of Pobitora.

Below, each place has a short note, an approximate distance and simple tips. Then you will find ready day plans. It is Page 3 of our 6-page Kamakhya guide.

Please note: Distances are approximate road distances from Kamakhya Temple and change with traffic, the route and your starting point. Entry rules, ferry and opening times can change, so check locally on the day. Last checked: 16 October 2026.

Nearby Places at a Glance

एक नज़र में

Distance from Kamakhya, approximate

Place	Where	Distance	Time to allow
Umananda Temple	Peacock Island, Brahmaputra	About 6 to 8 km, then a short ferry	Half a day
Navagraha Temple	Chitrasal Hill	About 8 to 10 km	1 hour
Basistha Ashram	South-east Guwahati	About 12 to 15 km	1 to 2 hours
Lachit Ghat and riverfront	Brahmaputra bank	About 6 to 8 km	1 to 2 hours
Hajo	Northwest of Guwahati	About 30 km	Half a day
Madan Kamdev	Baihata Chariali	About 35 to 40 km	2 to 3 hours
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary	Morigaon district	About 45 to 55 km	Half a day

Umananda Temple

उमानंद मंदिर

Shiva temple on Peacock Island

Umananda is a Shiva temple on Peacock Island, a small rocky island in the middle of the Brahmaputra. You reach it by a short ferry from the Guwahati riverfront. The temple is commonly dated to the late 17th century, in the time of the Ahom kings. The island is also known for a rare golden langur that lives in the wild there, so keep your eyes up.

• Best time: morning, when the river is calm and the ferries run.
• Tip: Check the last ferry back before you go. Do not feed the monkeys.

Umananda Temple on Peacock Island in the Brahmaputra. Photo: Pinakpani, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Navagraha Temple

नवग्रह मंदिर

The temple of nine planets

The Navagraha Temple stands on Chitrasal Hill, also called Navagraha Hill. It is a centre of Hindu astrology, with nine lingas for the nine planets. It is a short, quiet stop. Many visitors come for the view over the city and for a prayer to the planet linked to their birth chart.

The dome of the Navagraha Temple on Chitrasal Hill. Photo: Saptarshi Chowdhury, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Basistha Ashram

बसिष्ठ आश्रम

Forest, streams and a Shiva temple

Basistha Temple is a Shiva temple in the south-east of Guwahati. It sits inside an ashram linked to the sage Vashistha. Three streams, named Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta, are said to flow here from the hills of Meghalaya. After the crowds of Kamakhya, this is a calm and green place to sit for a while.

Basistha Temple in Guwahati. Photo: Lachitbarphukan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Brahmaputra Riverfront and Lachit Ghat

ब्रह्मपुत्र तट

Sunset and the story of Saraighat

The Brahmaputra riverfront is the best place to see Guwahati at the end of the day. Lachit Ghat is named after Lachit Barphukan, the Ahom general who won the Battle of Saraighat against the Mughals in 1671. Evening boat rides on the river are available at several ghats. Agree on the price and the route before you board.

Sunset over the Brahmaputra at Lachit Ghat. Photo: Gitartha Bordoloi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Hajo

हाजो

Where three faiths meet

Hajo is a historic town in the hills northwest of Guwahati. It is a meeting point of Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims. Manikut Hill has the Hayagriva Madhava Temple, known for its row of carved elephants on the lower walls. Another hill has the Poa Mecca shrine, built in the 17th century. Hajo is also known for its tortoises.

It is about 30 km northwest of Guwahati, so plan half a day. Go in the morning and carry water.

Hayagriva Madhava Temple at Hajo. Photo: Gaurav M Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Madan Kamdev

मदन कामदेव

Stone ruins in a quiet forest

Madan Kamdev is an archaeological site at Baihata Chariali in Kamrup. The ruins date to about the 9th to 10th century and are linked to the Pala period. Carved stones lie across a wide, green area, with figures such as Uma and Maheshwar, Surya and Ganesha. It is often called the "Khajuraho of Assam". It suits history lovers and photographers.

The site is quiet and spread over about 500 metres, so wear comfortable shoes and expect some walking on uneven ground. Look for the carved Uma and Maheshwar embrace, the Sun figure and the Ganesha and Vidyadhara carvings. Many pieces are weathered, which is part of its charm. Go in the morning, carry water and keep a small gap of 2 to 3 hours for the visit. Facilities are basic, so do not expect cafes next door.

• Best for: history, photography and a calm break from the city.
• Pair it with: Hajo, which lies on the same side of Guwahati.
• Tip: Check opening hours and entry rules locally on the day, as they can change.

Carved stone ruins at Madan Kamdev. Photo: Bhaskar Bhagawati, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

पोबितोरा

Rhinos close to Guwahati

Pobitora is a small sanctuary on the south bank of the Brahmaputra in Morigaon district. It is known for a high number of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses for its size. Jeep safaris run in the dry season, usually from about November to March. Book a safari at the gate and check the park's open months before you go, because the park can close during floods.

The sanctuary sits on the south bank of the Brahmaputra in Morigaon district. Besides rhinos, visitors often look for wild buffalo, many kinds of birds and, in winter, migratory birds. Safaris are usually in an open jeep with a guide, and a short ride gives you the best chance of a rhino sighting from a safe distance.

• Best time: the dry season, roughly November to March, in the early morning or late afternoon.
• Carry: a photo ID, water, a hat and a light jacket for cold mornings.
• Rules: Keep your voice low, stay in the vehicle and follow your guide. Do not feed or disturb animals.
• Plan: It is a half-day trip from Guwahati by road. Book your jeep early on weekends and holidays.

Indian one-horned rhinoceros at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: R4robin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Ready Day Plans

यात्रा योजना

Pick one

When	Plan
Day 1 morning	Kamakhya Temple (see timings on Page 2)
Day 1 afternoon	Navagraha Temple, then Basistha Ashram
Day 1 evening	Lachit Ghat and the riverfront at sunset
Day 2 morning	Umananda Temple by ferry
Day 2 afternoon	Hajo (Hayagriva Madhava Temple)
Day 3	Madan Kamdev in the morning, or Pobitora safari in season

Short on time? With one day, do Kamakhya in the morning, Navagraha in the afternoon and Lachit Ghat at sunset. To get to Guwahati first, read Page 4: How to Reach Kamakhya.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers

What are the best places to visit near Kamakhya Temple?

Umananda Temple, Navagraha Temple, Basistha Ashram and Lachit Ghat are within about 15 km. Hajo, Madan Kamdev and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary need half a day each.

How many days are enough for Kamakhya and nearby places?

One day covers Kamakhya and two or three city places. Two days add Umananda and Hajo. Three days add Madan Kamdev or a Pobitora safari.

How do I reach Umananda Temple?

Take a short ferry from the Guwahati riverfront to Peacock Island. Check the last return ferry before you go.

Is Hajo worth visiting?

Yes. It is about 30 km northwest of Guwahati and has the Hayagriva Madhava Temple, a Buddhist link and the Poa Mecca shrine, so Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim sites sit close together.

What is Madan Kamdev?

It is a ruined temple site at Baihata Chariali, dated to about the 9th and 10th century, with many carved stone figures spread across a forest area.

When can I see rhinos at Pobitora?

Safaris usually run in the dry season, roughly November to March. Check the sanctuary's open months before you travel, because floods can close it.

Is Lachit Ghat safe for an evening visit?

It is a popular public riverfront at sunset. Keep to lit and busy areas, agree on boat fares in advance and follow local safety signs.

Kamakhya Temple - Complete Guide (6 pages)

• Page 1: History, Story and Significance
• Page 2: Timings, Special Darshan and Rules
• Page 3: Places to Visit Near Kamakhya (you are here)
• Page 4: How to Reach Kamakhya
• Page 5: Complete Guide Hub
• Page 6: Fact Check - True or False

Plan your Guwahati trip

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Sources and further reading

• Wikipedia: Umananda Temple: island temple background
• Wikipedia: Basistha Temple: the three streams and location
• Wikipedia: Hayagriva Madhava Temple: Hajo, about 30 km from Guwahati, carved elephants
• Wikipedia: Madan Kamdev: site dates and statues
• Wikipedia: Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
• Wikipedia: Battle of Saraighat: Lachit Barphukan, 1671
• Wikipedia: Peacock Island: wildlife and location
• Maa Kamakhya Devalaya, official website
• Distances are approximate road figures, rounded, and not official. Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors, with credits under each photo