'The Light of the East' is the gateway of Assam and to the entire North East region. Straddling the banks of the Brahmaputra, this former capital of the Kamrup kings is crowded, busy river town and a major commercial hub for the region. The city experienced a brief period of Burmese rule during the Burmese invasions of Assam from 1817 to 1826. The name Guwahati is a portmanteau word consisting of the Assamese words 'guwa' (areca nut) and 'haat' (market place). Ringed by the Neelachal Hills, the city stretches along both banks of the broad Brahmaputra river. An ancient seat of tantric Hinduism with a number of interesting temples in its environs, it is also referred to as the 'The City of Temples'. Dispur, the capital of the Indian state of Assam, is in the circuit city region located within Guwahati and is the seat of the Government of Assam. Guwahati is now a busy commercial centre for Assam’s tea and oil industries. It is a major commercial and educational hub of Assam and the north-eastern regions of India, and is home to premier institutions. Kaziranga National Park, declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO is located 23 kms northeast of Guwahati. The area around the city contains wildlife sanctuaries, archeological ruins and a silk-weaving center.
