Temples in the Northeast
Kamakhya and beyond, planned calmly.
How to book a Kamakhya darshan pass, what to carry and when to go, and six more temples worth the trip.
Please note: everything on this page is for information only. Smarto is not connected to any temple administration, does not sell darshan passes, and takes no responsibility for, and gives no guarantee of, darshan, entry or timings. Rules and timings change, so always confirm on the temple’s official channels before you go.
Kamakhya Temple
The temple on Nilachal Hill, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.
Kamakhya is among the most visited temples in India, and the reason many people first come to Guwahati. Its beehive-shaped shikhara sits on Nilachal Hill, about 8 km from the railway station and 20 km from the airport.
There are two ways in: the free general queue, which can take several hours on busy days, and a paid special darshan queue that you book online in advance.
- Where
- Nilachal Hill, Guwahati
- Special darshan
- ₹501 per person, online only
- General queue
- Free
- Doors
- 8:00 AM to 5:15 PM, closed 1:00 to 2:30 PM
How to book
A special darshan pass, in four steps.
Book on the official site
Special darshan passes are sold only at mkdonline.co.in. Counter booking at the temple stopped on 15 June 2026, so there is no pass to buy on the day.
Fill in every visitor
Each person needs their own pass, with name, photo ID details and a clear, recent photo of the face. Children under 10 do not need a pass.
Pay ₹501 per person
Pay online and keep the confirmation. If a site asks for more, or for payment by UPI to a personal number, it is not the temple.
Arrive in your slot
The special darshan queue runs 5:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 3:30 PM. Carry the same original ID you used to book; it is checked at the gate.
Questions about a booking go to the temple’s WhatsApp-only helpdesk, +91 92870 99550. Defence personnel have a separate booking route; ask the helpdesk.
Timings
A usual day at Kamakhya.
Special darshan queue
5:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 3:30 PM
- 5:30 AMSnana, the bathing of the deity
- 6:00 AMNitya puja
- 8:00 AMDoors open for darshan
- 1:00 PMDoors close for the bhog offering
- 2:30 PMDoors reopen
- 5:15 PMDoors close for the day
- 7:30 PMEvening aarati
Keep in mind
Before you climb Nilachal Hill.
Carry original photo ID
The same document you entered while booking. A photocopy or a photo on your phone may be refused.
Phones off, footwear left below
Mobiles must be switched off inside. Leave shoes at the footwear stands along the approach road.
Start early
Even the special queue can take a few hours on Tuesdays, Saturdays, weekends and festival days. Mornings are calmer.
Pujas only through official channels
Book a puja through a registered panda, the Office of the Doloi, or the information centre near Gate no. 6. Arrangements with unauthorised pandas are at your own risk.
Beware fake websites
Several sites sell online pujas and darshan in the temple's name. The only darshan booking site is mkdonline.co.in.
A no-tobacco hill
Smoking, tobacco and gutkha are not allowed anywhere on Nilachal Hill.
Plan around Ambubachi
During the Ambubachi Mela in June the temple stays closed for three days, and special darshan is not available on the reopening days.
Stay arrangements are your own
The temple does not book rooms. Stay in Guwahati and come up early by cab; parking near the top fills quickly.
More temples
Six more, worth the detour.
Umananda Temple
Peacock Island, Brahmaputra, Guwahati
Usually 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Ferries run about 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
A Shiva temple on what is often called the smallest inhabited river island in the world. The ride across the Brahmaputra is half the visit.
Tip: Take the ferry from Kachari or Uzan Bazar ghat. Boats stop in bad weather and at high water in the monsoon.
Navagraha Temple
Chitrachal Hill, Guwahati
Usually 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
The temple of the nine planets, built in the 18th century under the Ahom king Rajeswar Singha. Nine Shivalingas stand for the nine celestial bodies.
Tip: Pair it with Ugratara and Sukreswar in one city morning; all three are within a short drive.
Sukreswar Temple
Itakhuli Hill, Panbazar, Guwahati
Open daily from early morning to evening; timings are not published.
A Shiva temple built in 1744 by the Ahom king Pramatta Singha, on a small hill above the river. The ghat below is one of the best places in the city to watch the Brahmaputra.
Tip: Come around sunset and walk down to the ghat steps afterwards.
Ugratara Temple
Lataxil, Uzan Bazar, Guwahati
Usually 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:30 to 8:00 PM.
A Shakti temple built in 1725 by the Ahom king Siva Singha, beside the Jorpukhuri tanks. There is no idol: the goddess is worshipped in a small water-filled pit.
Tip: It closes in the afternoon, so keep it for the morning or the evening.
Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji Temple
Betkuchi, Guwahati
Usually 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 to 9:00 PM.
A temple to Lord Venkateswara in the South Indian style, with carved white towers. It sits on the airport side of the city, close to NH 27.
Tip: Easy to fit in on the way to or from the airport.
Mahamrityunjay Temple
Puranigudam, Nagaon
Open daily from morning to evening; timings are not published.
A 126-foot temple built in the shape of a Shivling, completed in 2021 and among the tallest of its kind. It is about 12 to 18 km from Nagaon town.
Tip: About three hours by road from Guwahati, so it fits well on the way to Kaziranga.
Enquire
We plan the trip. You plan the prayers.
FAQs
Questions, answered
Something we have not covered? Ask us; a real person replies.
Ask on WhatsApp (opens WhatsApp in a new tab)How do I book a Kamakhya special darshan ticket?
Book online at mkdonline.co.in, the temple's official booking site. The special darshan pass costs ₹501 per person, and each visitor needs their own pass with photo ID details and a face photo. Counter booking at the temple was stopped on 15 June 2026.
Is general darshan at Kamakhya free?
Yes. The general queue is free and needs no booking, but it can take several hours on busy days.
What are the Kamakhya Temple timings?
Usually the doors open at 8:00 AM, close from 1:00 to 2:30 PM for the bhog offering, and close for the day at 5:15 PM. On special days they open at 9:00 AM. The special darshan queue runs 5:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 3:30 PM.
Do children need a darshan pass?
Children under 10 do not need a pass. Everyone else needs their own.
Can Smarto book my darshan or guarantee entry?
No. Smarto is not connected to the temple and cannot book passes or guarantee darshan. We can help with the rest: a cab to Nilachal Hill, a stay in Guwahati, and a day plan for the other temples.
Is there a helpline for Kamakhya darshan?
The temple runs a WhatsApp-only helpdesk on +91 92870 99550. It does not take calls.
How do I reach Kamakhya Temple from Guwahati airport or railway station?
Kamakhya Temple is on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati. Book a Smarto airport or station transfer straight to the hill, or a city ride from ₹249. For a car that waits while you visit the other temples too, book an hourly rental from ₹700 for 2 hours.
Is Kamakhya Temple closed during Ambubachi Mela?
Yes. During Ambubachi Mela in late June the temple closes for three days, then reopens to very long queues, and Guwahati's hotels and roads stay busy all week.