Explore the most beautiful temples in Assam
When we talk about temples, we only associate it with the northern and southern regions of India. However, in the northeastern corner of India is the state of Assam, which has amazing temples and is a must visit. They are known worldwide for their beautiful and magnificent architecture, customs and rituals, heritage and mythological associations. These Assamese temples are the epitome of Indian culture and history that fascinates the world.
1. Kamaga Temple in Guwahati, Assam:
Kamakhya Temple, one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peeths, is located on Mount Nilachal in Guwahati, Assam. According to the fable, Satie’s “Yoni” or vagina and uterus fell on this particular area, both parts representing female fertility. Inside the Maa Kamakhya temple, the goddess appears as an idol in the shape of a vagina, kept moist by a small spring nearby. The main temple is dedicated to the mother goddess Kamakhya, and the remaining ten temples are dedicated to ten great Hans. The temple is said to have been built between the 8th and 17th centuries in the Nilachar style, with a hemispherical dome on a cruciform base. Worship in this temple includes goat sacrifice. The temple’s annual festival attracts thousands of visitors.
emphasize:
- address: Kamakhya, Guwahati, Assam 781010
- time: 8am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 5:30pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Durga Puja, Ambubachi Mela, Manasha
- Other attractions: Open-air grand, Bobitola Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Da Parbatia Temple, Tezpur, Assam:
The Da Parbatia Temple in Tezpur, Assam, is a ruined form of a temple door frame. It is an iconoclastic representation of art and one of the oldest in Assam. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Yamuna and the Ganges. This famous temple in Assam dates back to the 5th and 6th centuries AD.
emphasize:
- address: Sonitpur District, Tezpur, Assam
- time: 6am to 9pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: All year except the rainy season
- Other attractions: Madawa Temple, Kamaga Temple
3. Aswakranta Temple in Guwahati, Assam:
Located in Guwahati, Assam, the Asvakranta temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered sacred by the “Yogi Tantra”. God, Anantasein Vishnu is the reclining position of Lord Vishnu on the snake. There is also a statue of Brahma sitting on a lotus flower that emerged from Lord Vishnu’s navel. The temple complex also includes other idols.
emphasize:
- address: North Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781030, India
- time: Morning after sunrise until noon and before 9pm
- Dress Code: no dress code
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Between November and May
- Other attractions: Footprints of Lord Krishna, Kulma Janadhana
4. Navagraha Temple in Guwahati, Assam:
The temple was built around 1752 AD on the top of a mountain called Chitrasal Hill (Navagraha Hill) in Guwahati, Assam. The Navagraha temple in Assam contains nine phallic emblems of Lord Shiva covered with different coloured garments that are sacred to the nine planetary gods. The Shivaligam symbolizing the sun appears in the center. Regular worship takes place here.
emphasize:
- address: Chitrachal Hill, Guwahati, Assam
- time: 4am to 9pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 2-3 hours
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: annual
- Other attractions: jitrachar mountain
5. Maha Bhairav Temple, Tezpur, Assam:
The Maha Bhairav temple is believed to have been built by the prehistoric monarch Bana and was originally built between the 8th and 10th centuries AD. It is located in the town of Tezpur in Assam and has one of the largest stone penises or Shiva Lingams in the world. Hence, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and thousands of people visit this temple during the auspicious times of Shivaratri.
emphasize:
- address: Mahabhairab, Tezpur, Assam 784001
- time: 6am to 8pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: http://www.mahabhairab.org/
- Best time to visit: Great Shiva
- Other attractions: Durgovinda Temple
6. Uman Nanda Temple in Peacock Island, Assam:
Umananda Temple Devaloi is located on Peacock Island, Assam, in the middle of the Brahmaputra River and was built around 1681-1696. Bhayananda, a form of Shiva lives here. The deity here is Umananda, and it is believed that worship here on Monday, the day of Amavasha (the moon phase of the new moon), will bring the highest happiness. The festival celebrated here every year is Shiva Chaturdashi and many devotees visit this temple.
emphasize:
- address: Peacock Island, Baruah Souk, North Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781030
- time: 6 am to 6 pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 3-4 hours
- how can I get there: by boat
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Shiva Chatur Dashi
- Other attractions: Hanuman Temple
7. Sukreswara Temple in Guwahati, Assam:
Sukreswara Temple is an important Shiva temple located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam. It was built in 1744 AD. This temple holds one of the largest Shiva linga or phallic symbols of Shiva. Devotees from all over visit this place all year round. This Assam Guwahati temple is still overcrowded during the Shivratri festival.
emphasize:
- address: Sukreswar Hill, Guwahati, Assam
- time: 6am to 7pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 2-3 hours
- how can I get there: On foot or local transportation
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Shivratri
- Other attractions: sucreswar mt.
8. Hayagriva Madhava Temple, Hajo, Assam:
Haragriva Madhava Temple is located on a hill called Monikut Hill in Harjo, Assam. It was built in the 16th century and is a famous Buddhist temple. This is a stone temple dedicated to the image of Hayagriva Madhava. The main deity enshrined here is the human and lion incarnation of Vishnu. Doul, Bihu and Janmashtami are festivals widely celebrated in temples every year. The temple preaches both Hinduism and Buddhism, thus attracting many Buddhist monks from all over.
emphasize:
- address: Haho, Guwahati, Assam
- time: 6am to 9pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 4-5 hours
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: annual
- Other attractions:Kamaga Temple
9. Ugro Thara Temple in Guwahati, Assam:
Located on the west side of the Jorpukhury tank in Guwahati, Assam, Ugro Tara is dedicated to Devitara. Devitara is also believed to be the reincarnation of Goddess Parvati. There is a Shivalaya (pagoda) next to the Ugro Tara Temple. It is believed that the navel of Sati falls here, thus making it an important place for Hindu worship. The present temple is considered the important Shakti Peeth temple, built around 1725 AD. The nature of worship here is similar to Kamakhya, which is meant to include animal sacrifices.
emphasize:
- address: Jor Pukhury Tank, Uzan Bazar, Guwahati Assam
- time: 5.30am to 8pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: annual
- Other attractions:Maa Kamakhya Temple
Next time you plan a vacation to Assam, be sure to visit these magnificent temples. Not only are they a symbol of Indian heritage and culture, but they are also a great place to admire the architecture. Each temple hosts colorful festivals and tells the legends associated with them. While the temple may be packed with tourists, you can witness customs and rituals that have been around since ancient times. So Assam is no longer just a tea symbol, it is the birthplace of some of India’s heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
1. Is Ugra Tara Temple Shakti Peetha?
Yes, Ugra Tara temple is one of the temples of 51 Shakti Peetha when Lord Shiva performed tandava with Sati’s body which was cut open and poured all over the country. It is said that the navel of the goddess fell here.
2. What animal is worshipped at Kamakhya Temple Assam?
A goat was sacrificed at the Kamakhya temple in Assam; all devotees were not forced to make this sacrifice.
3. Who is the Asvakranta Temple in Guwahati dedicated to?
The Ashwakranta Temple in Guwahati, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is one of the most famous temples in India.