Kamrup Metropolitan District

Kamrup Metropolitan District is a district in the state of Assam headquartered in the city of Guwahati. Kamrup Metro emerged as a separate district on February 3, 2003 by bifurcating it from the old Kamrup district. The place was once known as Pragjyotishpur meaning the light of the east. The name Pragjyotishpur finds mention in the great epics of Mahabharata and other mythologies. 

On the other hand, its headquarter city, Guwahati got its name from two Assamese words i.e. “Guwa” meaning “betel nut” and “Haat” meaning market. According to a legend, the demon king Narakasura is said to have built this ancient city. Another reason for the attraction of Guwahati is its ancient name ‘Kamarupa’ which means the place where the body part of Goddess Sati fell and is also the birthplace of Kamadeva, the god of love.

Sri Umananda Temple

Attractions

The district has many centers of attraction which attract many travellers coming from different parts of the country and the world. Ashwaklanta, a small hill located on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River is situated in the district. There are two Vishnu temples on this hill. Pilgrims from far and wide come to worship in these temples. Kamakhya Temple, located at a distance of 7 km from Guwahati is one of the largest Shakti temples in the country and is also an important pilgrimage center.

Maa Kamakhya Temple

Basistha Ashram located in Sandhyachal Hills is also an important pilgrimage center. Umananda Temple located on Peacock Island is one of the important temples in Guwahati. Sukreswar Temple, located in Sukreswar, is another important temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the district. This temple is famous for housing the sixth Jyotirlinga of India. Navgraha Temple located on Chitrasal Hills is dedicated to the nine planets of the solar system.

Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji Temple

Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden is located near RG Barua Road. Spread over an area of ​​130 hectares, it is the only zoo that has natural forest. ISKCON Temple is located on a hill in Ulubari Chariali area, 2 km from Guwahati Railway Station. Balaji Temple, Nehru Stadium, Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Sahitya and Sangeet Natak Bhavan, Lalit Lala Bhavan, Heritage Park, Cultural Museum, Open Air Theatre, Digholi Pukhuri, Guwahati Refinery etc.

How to reach Guwahati

Guwahati is served by the popular Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, at Borjhar, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of the city centre. All major domestic and international airlines fly into Guwahati. Guwahati Railway Station is the main railway station in the district. It is connected to all major cities in the state and country. National Highways 27, 17 and 15 touch the district. Buses are the major mode of public transport in Guwahati. Guwahati is well connected by road to all major cities and towns in Assam.

Area

The geographical area of ​​the district is 955 sq km. and it is bounded by Darrang, Kamrup, Marigaon district and Meghalaya in the north. The district has only one sub-division namely Guwahati Sadar. It consists of 6 revenue circles Sonapur Village, Chandrapur Bagicha, Dispur, Guwahati, Azara and North Guwahati. Further, the district is divided into 6 sub-districts, 12 towns and 216 villages.

Kamrup Metropolitan district map

Population

The population of the district is 12,53,938 as per the 2011 census. The sex ratio in the district is 936 females per 1000 males. The major language of the district is Assamese and Bengali.

Economy

The economy of the district is mainly dependent on both agricultural and industrial sectors. More than half of its population is engaged in agriculture to earn their livelihood. The main agricultural products in the district are wheat, paddy, coconut, sugarcane, orange, pineapple, lemon, coconut etc. The district has fairly developed industries. The district has two most important tea estates namely Sonapur Tea Estate and Sunchali Tea Estate. The famous Guwahati Refinery is also present in the district.

Education

The literacy rate of the district is 88.71%. The district is known to be home to many prestigious educational institutions. 

Don Bosco School

It provides a platform for higher education. Some of its most recognized educational institutions in the district are Don Bosco School, Spring Dale International School, NPS International School, Assam Engineering Institute, Assam Engineering College, Gauhati University, Cotton College, Lalit Chandra Bharali College, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati College, Arya Vidyapeeth College, B. Borooah College etc. are some of the best educational institutions in the district.