Famous Temples in Assam

Assam, situated in the North-Eastern corner of India, is famous for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity. The history of the state traces back to the Vedic period, and it is this place where Saivism, Tantric Shaktism, and Vaishnavism flourished. The rich cultural and historical heritage is well displayed in the temples that are speckled all over the state. These shrines belong to the ancient era as well as medieval time. Most of these are architectural splendors that belonged to the medieval period and epitomized the architecture of the Ahom, Koch, and Kachari rulers. These temples have been the quiet spectator of the splendid past of the state. Some of the famous temples in Assam are listed below:

Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati

Kamakhya Temple is one of the sacred Shakti Peeths in India, which is situated in the state of Assam. It is perched atop the Nilachal Hills on the western part of Guwahati. It is an ancient temple and finds its mention in Kalika Purana, where, it has described Kamakhya as the giver of deliverance, fulfiller of wishes and desires. It also described her as the young wife of lord Shiva. It is one of the most important Hindu Pilgrimages of India and is thronged by devotees from all across the globe, especially by tantric worshipers. The temple was earlier destroyed and in the 17th century, it was rebuilt by King Nara Narayana of Koch Dynasty. It is counted among the most revered and significant Aadi Shakti Peeths of India and is mainly associated with tantric form of worship.

Nabagraha Temple, Guwahati

The Navagraha Temple or the temple of the nine planets is located on the Citrasaala Hills in the heart of Guwahati. It is a center of astrological research and like other parts of India worship of Sun God has been a ritual since ancient times in Assam. It is also one of the reasons why Guwahati is referred to as Pragjyotishpur or the city of eastern Astrology. It is a famous temple in the entire state and is the only one of its kind.

Dol Gobinda Temple, Guwahati

Dol Gobinda Temple is another prominent temple in the state situated on the littoral of the mighty river Brahmaputra. It is considered to be one of the most revered places and is thronged by thousands of devotees from all over the state. Dedicated to lord Krishna, this temple is situated on foothills of Chandrabharati hill at Rajaduar, a place of the east of North Guwahati and this natural ambiance enhances its sacredness.

Aswaklanta Temple, Guwahati

Aswaklanta temple is one of the famous temples in the state, which is situated on the Northern bank of River Brahmaputra. It lies in North Guwahati and is one of the ancient temples in the state. It was built in the year 1720 by Ahom King Shiva Singha, it finds mention in the ancient Hindu religious scriptures. It is believed that Arjuna, the 3rd Pandava had watered his horse at the site of this temple while he was traveling across the country for performing Aswamedha Yajnya. It is one of the holiest places, which is frequented by devotees from all over the state all throughout the year.

Hayagriva Madhab Temple, Hajo

The Hayagriva Madhab Temple is situated on Manikuta Hill and is one of the most revered Hindu temples of Assam. It is believed to be one of the oldest temples in the region. During 6th century, this temple was built by the ruler of Pala Dynasty. However, owing to the destruction by the army that invaded Assam, it was later reconstructed by the King of Koch Hajo dynasty Raghudeva Narayan in the year 1583. Made of stone, it houses the idol of Hayagriva Madhab, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The central shrine preserves the Pancha Madhab, the five forms of Vishnu. It is the most frequented pilgrimages of the hamlet.

Da Parbatia Temple, Tezpur

Da Parbatia is one of the ancient temples of Assam, which dates back to 6th century AD. It is located near Tezpur and was built by the Ahom rulers, which was destroyed by the earthquake in 1897. Today, only the ruin of it, which is about 1500 years old remains. It is famous for iconoclastic art and sculptural in the form of the relics of the door-frame that still stands withstanding all the natural calamities that took place during the past centuries. It represents the early Gupta School of sculpture, which is revealed by the intricate carvings and imprints found on the door-frame of the temple.

Maha Bhairava Temple, Tezpur

Maha Bhairava is one of the renowned temples in Assam, which is located in the city of Tezpur. Perched on a hillock, it is one of the most sacred shrines, which is visited by a huge crowd of devotees across the state. This temple is dedicated to Lord Bhairava, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The temple houses perhaps the largest Shiva Lingam in the entire world, which is believed to have been established by Banasura. It is also an ancient temple, which was destroyed in the 1897 earthquake and was later reconstructed.

Ugratara Temple, Guwahati

Ugratara Temple is dedicated to Goddess Tara, an incarnation of Adi Shakti. It is situated in the eastern part of Guwahati and is one of the most revered Shakti Shrines of the state. It is believed that once sage Bashistha cursed the Goddess seeing her having meat and since then, Ugratara is worshiped according to ‘Vama cara' rites. During the festival of Durga Puja, this temple is visited by pilgrim from various parts of the state and animal sacrifice is a common ritual that is followed during that time. It is believed that the navel of Goddess Sati fell in this place and is also known as “navi peeth”.

Siva Dol, Sivsagar

Siva Dol is yet another famous temple in the state, which stands on the bank of Borpukhuri tank in Sivasagar. It is about 300 years old and was built by Queen Ambika in the year 1734. She was the wife of Sargadeu Siva Singha. It is not famous for being one of the holiest places in the state but also for the beautiful landscape. Shiva Dol is 180 feet tall and 195 feet in diameter and has a golden dome at its top. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is visited by devotees from near and far.