A little away from here, lies the Bhubaneshwari temple from where one can
have a panoramic view of the Brahmaputra and the city of Guwahati.
After saying our prayers, we came down and drove back to the city and onto
the Sukreswar Temple, an ancient temple on the banks of the mighty
Brahmaputra river. We could see the busy Sukreswar Ghat jetty, ferrying in
people from distant places. With the Saraighat Bridge on the backdrop the
sight was beholding with innumerable country boats plying in it.
After lunch, we drove to 'Basistha Ashram'. Set in idyllic surroundings
about 12 Kms from Guwahati, this ashram was established by Rishi Basistha in
the past. This place offers a serene and calm ambience and we couldn't
resist our temptation to take a holy bath on the confluence of the three
streams and try out some meditation. It was a pleasant experience similar to
those we encountered in Rishikesh, the only difference being that it was
least crowded.
On the way back, we went to Srimanta Sankardev Kalaksetra. Named after the
greatest Vaishnava Saint Sankardeva, it is a modern cultural complex spread
over acres of lush green area on the foothills. It is landscaped, portraying
the rich cultural heritage of the Asssamese society. Cultural events,
musical recitals & dance performances are regularly held. We were in
time for the evening presentation of Satriya dance, a dance form of national
stature practiced in the Vaishnavite Monasteries. We forgot our tiredness
and joined the locales in their Bihu dance. The sensuous movement of dancers
was a sight to behold and I found it the most beautifully synchronized
amongst the culturally rich folk dances of India.
After an invigorating & tough day, our stomachs were treated with
a traditional Assamese meal, which was very nutritious and not as spicy as
other Indian meals. I was told that a lot of herbs of medicinal value are
used in these preparations.
