Umananda Temple: A Structure of Faith and Majesty
- 16 years ago
Umananda Temple is situated in the Peacock Island, which is located in the middle of the mighty Bramaputra river, in Guwahati. From mainland, country boats ferry tourists to this island. The state tourism department arranges the ferries for the tourists. The Umananda Temple is built on the Bhasmacala mountain. People from all across the country and also from other parts of the world come to this place to feel the climate of devotion, and also experience the environment of tranquility pervading through this place.
The main deity of this temple is Umananda, another name of Shiva the Destroyer. However, besides Shiva, in the temple we also find representations of Ganesha, Surya, Parvati and Vishnu and his ten incarnations. People believe that worshipping here on the new moon day, when it falls on Monday, brings the greatest bliss. Every year, the temple hosts an annual festival named Siva Chaturdasi, which is characterized by colourful and vibrant celebration. Many people from different places come to the Umananda Temple during this occasion to worship the deity.
The temple has its history dating back to the late seventeenth century. In 1694 AD, Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique had built this magnificent structure characterized by rock cut figures, which was commissioned by King Gadadhar Singh of the Ahom dynasty. The temple, which is an embodiment of amazing skills of craftsmanship, suffered an earthquake in 1897, which virtually decimated its structure. However, in the later years, a rich merchant sponsored its reconstruction. By his orders, Vaisnavite slogans were inscribed on the interiors of the temple.
The main deity of this temple is Umananda, another name of Shiva the Destroyer. However, besides Shiva, in the temple we also find representations of Ganesha, Surya, Parvati and Vishnu and his ten incarnations. People believe that worshipping here on the new moon day, when it falls on Monday, brings the greatest bliss. Every year, the temple hosts an annual festival named Siva Chaturdasi, which is characterized by colourful and vibrant celebration. Many people from different places come to the Umananda Temple during this occasion to worship the deity.
The temple has its history dating back to the late seventeenth century. In 1694 AD, Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique had built this magnificent structure characterized by rock cut figures, which was commissioned by King Gadadhar Singh of the Ahom dynasty. The temple, which is an embodiment of amazing skills of craftsmanship, suffered an earthquake in 1897, which virtually decimated its structure. However, in the later years, a rich merchant sponsored its reconstruction. By his orders, Vaisnavite slogans were inscribed on the interiors of the temple.