A Spiritual Journey Through Assam’s Ancient and Sacred Temples

Assam is a place that's scenic, serene, and beautiful, and it has a special charm that never gets old. The history of Assam and the way people live in Assam are what make it so special. You can see lots of temples and monuments all over Assam. These ancient temples and monuments in Assam are pointers to the fact that Assam's greatness in the past can never be denied. These temples are connected to lots of stories and myths about Assam. Assam consists of varied and diverse cultures and religions, and that is what makes Assam so special. Each of the Hindu temples in Assam has its story and history that people have been telling for a very long time. 

Kamakhya (Guwahati)

Kamakhya Temple, one of the oldest Shakti Peethas in India, is situated atop Nilachal Hill in the western part of Guwahati, Assam. The main shrine is encircled by ten smaller temples dedicated to the Mahavidyas, including Goddess Kali, Tara and Bhairavi. A prominent centre of Tantric worship, the temple draws thousands of devotees each year, especially during major festivals such as Ambubachi Mela, Manasha Puja, and Navaratri in autumn.

Hajo Hayagriva Madhava (Hajo)

The Hayagriva Madhava Temple is in Hajo, which's about 30 kilometers west of Guwahati. This temple is a special place for Hindus, Buddhist lamas, and the Bhutiya community. The Hayagriva Madhava Temple has a beautiful idol of Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped here as Hayagriva. People believe that the Hayagriva Madhava Temple is also the place where Lord Buddha attained Nirvana, or Moksha. The temple’s entrance is a beautifully carved granite block structure with colossal, sculpted figures of the 10 Avatars adorning the exterior. Festivals such as Doul, Bihu, and Janmashtami are celebrated here every year with great enthusiasm.

Tilinga Mandir (Tinsukia)

Tilinga Mandir is a temple. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is in Upper Assam. You can find it at Bordubi. It is 7 kilometers from the Tinsukia district. People also call it the “Temple of Bells.” Tilinga Mandir is well known for its bells. There are thousands of bells. Devotees of Lord Shiva tie these bells. This is a unique thing about Tilinga Mandir. It is so unique that it is in the Limca Book of World Records. According to local belief, a Shiva Lingam appeared here in 1965, following which the temple gained widespread recognition. Devotees believe that tying a bell to the banyan tree within the temple premises helps fulfill their wishes once they are granted. Pilgrims visit the temple throughout the year, with Mondays drawing the largest crowds, as they are considered especially auspicious for worshipping Lord Shiva.

Mahamaya (Kokrajhar)  

The Mahamaya Temple, situated in Assam’s Kokrajhar district, is a significant Shakti Peetha and a well-known pilgrimage as well as a tourist destination. The temple is noted for its centuries-old traditions, including the practice of animal sacrifice, which is especially observed during Durga Puja.The temple also houses a magnificent idol of Goddess Kali and Lord Hanuman. In addition, the Mahamaya Snaanghat Temple, located a few kilometers away, is another place of worship associated with the Mahamaya goddess, where a Shakti Yagya is performed every year in January.

 Da Parbatia (Tezpur)

The Da Parbatia Temple is the oldest Hindu temple. It is in the village of Da Parbatia, which is a few kilometers west of Tezpur city in Assam. The Da Parbatia Temple is famous for its architecture. The Da Parbatia Temple is one of the temples in Assam. You can see beautiful carvings on the remains of its door frame. The Da Parbatia Temple is very important because of its history. This is why it is protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958. The Archaeological Survey of India takes care of the Da Parbatia Temple. The temple’s ruins were constructed during the Ahom era and are built over the foundation of an ancient temple, with a stone-paved layout plan of the sanctum sanctorum and a mandapa.

Umananda (Guwahati)

The Umananda Temple is a special place for people who worship Lord Shiva. It is situated on an island called Umananda in the Brahmaputra River that flows through Guwahati, Assam. This island is also called Peacock Island because of its shape. People believe that Lord Shiva made this island just to make Parvati happy. The Umananda Temple Island has other names too, like Bhasmachal. It is famous because of a story, about Lord Shiva using his eye to burn Kamadeva. The temple is particularly revered on Maha Shivaratri and Mondays, and devotees can reach the island through a ferry from Umananda or Kachari Ghat.

Siva Dol (Sivasagar)

The Siva Dol is on the banks of the Borpukhuri in Sivasagar. It has three Hindu temples. These are the Siva Dol, the Vishnu Dol and the Devi Dol shrines. The Siva Dol also has a museum. The Siva Dol temple is for Lord Shiva. The Siva Dol is very tall. It is 104 feet high. The base of the Siva Dol is big. It is 195 feet around. The Siva Dol has a dome on top. The golden dome is 8 feet high. The Siva Dol is a place to visit. The temple hosts a huge fair during Mahashivaratri and attracts pilgrims from all over India for the Hare Krishna kirtan, which is conducted throughout the night during the Hindu month of Savan. The Vishnu Dol celebrates Dol Yatra and Rath Yatra annually, while Devidol celebrates Durga Puja with great fervour in September-October.

Aswakranta Devalaya (North Guwahati)

The Aswakranta Devalaya is an important shrine of Lord Vishnu situated on a rocky bed near the Brahmaputra River in the north of Guwahati. The deity worshipped here is Anantasyeyin Vishnu, depicting the lord sitting on the serpent. According to legend, Lord Krishna halted here with his army and horses before defeating the demon Narakasur, who ruled over this region.

Explore the spiritual heritage of Assam by visiting these beautiful temples, each offering a unique blend of divinity, architectural brilliance, and cultural significance. 

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