Guwahati Welcomes New Year with Throngs at Public Landmarks

Guwahati's New Year Celebrations

Guwahati, January 4: As the year 2026 commenced, Guwahati experienced an extraordinary influx of visitors to two of its latest public attractions. Despite the winter chill, large crowds flocked to the Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan along the Brahmaputra riverfront and the Boragaon Martyrs’ Memorial, turning the city into a vibrant celebration hub.

These newly inaugurated sites have quickly become essential stops on Guwahati's tourism circuit, attracting not only local residents but also visitors from various districts and states.

Situated by the Brahmaputra at Uzanbazar, the Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan has been welcoming a steady stream of guests since its opening in December.

On New Year’s Day, the number of visitors surged to such an extent that navigating through the garden became challenging, prompting authorities to temporarily halt vehicle access in the vicinity.

Estimates indicate that over 100,000 people visited the garden on January 1 alone, with thousands continuing to arrive daily thereafter.

Ramani Das, who manages the garden, noted that the turnout has surpassed expectations.

“Since December 20, we have seen a significant rise in visitors from outside Guwahati. Daily, more than 10,000 people are arriving. On New Year’s Day, nearly 100,000 visitors were present, leaving little room to move,” she stated.

She mentioned that guests have traveled from districts like Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Hojai, Jorhat, and Dibrugarh, as well as tourists from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

The garden has also gained popularity as an educational venue, with 15 to 20 school buses arriving each day for student outings.

During regular hours, which span from early morning to evening, over 5,000 individuals gather at once, highlighting the park's increasing appeal.

Visitors have largely responded positively to the initiative.

Momi Saikia, a visitor, described the park as “very beautiful” and encouraged everyone to help maintain its cleanliness.

Rahul Dekai shared similar thoughts, stating that the riverfront park provides a delightful environment for people of all ages to unwind and enjoy quality time, while emphasizing the importance of proper maintenance by both visitors and authorities.

Crowd gathered at the Swahid Smarak in Boragaon (Photo - @sum_on1512/ IG)

In addition to the riverfront garden, the Swahid Smarak in Boragaon has also become a notable attraction for the New Year. Recently opened, the memorial site saw a consistent flow of visitors during the festive season.

On New Year’s Day, thousands gathered to pay their respects while enjoying the newly developed public area.

Since then, the memorial has continued to attract large crowds daily, indicating its potential as both a site of remembrance and a community gathering place.

With the rapid rise in popularity of these two locations, Guwahati's urban landscape is evolving towards more inclusive public spaces.