Guwahati
The robust Brahmaputra River sustains this northeast Indian city’s urban acceleration, but its increasing sprawl of industry is balanced, not just by a humbling landscape of the river and Shillong foothills, but also by its many significant religious landmarks. Sacred tributes to Hindu goddesses include the Peacock Island and Umananda Temple, and the Elliptic structure of the hilltop Kamakhya Temple, a Shakti Pitha venerating its namesake and woman’s conception gifts.