Umananda Temple in Guwahati Assam

Here is Some information about Umananda Temple in Guwahati Assam India.

Location: Peacock Island, Guwahati, Assam
Built in: 1694 A.D
Built By: King Gadadhar Singh
Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
Entry:Free
Photography:Allow
Temple Timing: 6:00Am to 9:00 Pm
Significance: Pilgrimage centre
Visiting Timing: 30 Mins
Best time to Visit : Oct to March
Nearest Railway Station : Guwahati
Nearest Air Port: : Guwahati

The Umananda Temple in Assam is situated on the Pea cock Island in the midst of the river Brahmaputra at Guwahati. The Pea cock Island was named so by some poetic British Administrator and is in the middle of the river Brahmaputra at Guwahati. According to legend, the deity Lord Shiva is said to have resided here in the form of Bhayananda.
Dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, Umananda is the most revered temple in the entire state and entices tourists from far and wide to come and visit it. During the occasion of Shivratri, every year, thousands of worshippers come to this part of the state to seek the blessings of the Lord.
In 1694 A.D., the temple was constructed by Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique under orders from King Gadadhar Singh of the Tai-Ahom dynasty. The innumerous engravings and sculptures that adorn the rock walls of the temple are incomparable in beauty and depict the excellent craftsmanship of the local Assamese artisans. Practically, all the principal Hindu gods like Surya, Shiva, Ganesha and Devi has been engraved beautifully in the rock walls of the temple. Apart from this, sculptures of Lord Vishnu and his ten incarnations are also found in the vicinity of the temple.

The plot of land over which the temple has been raised is called Bhasmachala. Legend has it that once, while Lord Shiva was meditating on this hillock, Kamadeva interrupted his yoga and was burnt to ashes by the fire of his anger and hence the name. According to the Kalika Purana, goddess Urvashi who brings nectar for the pleasure of Kamakhya resided here and therefore, the island is also called Urvashi Island.
Due to a devastating earthquake in 1897, a considerable portion of the temple was damaged. This was later reconstructed by a rich local merchant who also added Vaisnavite inscriptions to the interior part of the temple. It is a popular belief that worshipping here on an Amavasya day, especially when it falls on a Monday, brings the highest bliss. Besides this, the Shiv Chaturdasi is also held here annually for the worship of the deity.

History of the Umananda Temple

The temple of Umananda was built in 1694 A.D. by the Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique by the order of King Gadadhar Singh (1681- 1696), one of the ablest and strongest rulers of the Ahom dynasty. The original temple was however immensely damaged by a devastating earthquake of 1897. Later, it was reconstructed by a rich local merchant who chose to inscribe the interior part of a Siva temple with Vaisnavite slogans.

How to reach the temple

By Road :Through Road Transport, the city of Guwahati is linked to all the major cities of Assam and nearby states. One can easily reach Guwahati by road from any part of the state.

By Rail : The Nearest Railway station is Guwahati .

By Air : The Nearest Airport is Guwahati .

Picture Gellery of Umananda Temple in Guwahati