All you need to know about Umananda temple in Assam

Author: Shivani Subba
Date: 2019-12-09

Share using:

Umananda Devaloi is a Shiva mandir which is located at the Peacock Island in the middle of river Brahmaputra in Assam. The Peacock Island is the smallest inhabited river island in the world. It lies just opposite to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup or the Kachari Ghat in Guwahati, Assam, India. It was built by the Ahom King Gadadhar Singha (1681–1696), who was a devout Shaivaite.


The mandir of Umananda was built in 1694 A.D. at the Peacock Island in Assam by the Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique along the orders of King Gadadhar Singha (1681–1696), one of the ablest and strongest rulers of the Ahom dynasty in Assam. The original Umananda mandir was however greatly damaged by a devastating earthquake of 1897 in Assam. Later, the Umananda mandir was reconstructed by a rich local merchant who chose to inscribe the interior part of a Shiva mandir with Vaisnavite slogans.


During the short period of the Mughal occupation of Kamrupa, land, men and money were gifted to the priests of the mandirs of Umananda from the Mughal Emperors Jahangir and Aurangzeb. The mandir has inherited some rock-cut figures, which speak passionately of the masterly skill of the Assamese craftsmen. The sculptures at this mandir show that the worshippers there followed all the principal Hindu gods. Representations of Surya, Ganesha, Shiva and Devi (with a scorpion as an  emblem) in addition to those of Visnu and his ten incarnations (or avatars) are found at the mandir of Umananda. The main shrine of Umananda mandir is reached by walking up a flight of steep steps.

Legend has it that Shiva is said to have resided here in the form of Bhayananda. According to the Kalika Purana, at the very beginning of all creation Shiva sprinkled ashes (bhasma) at this place and imparted knowledge to Parvati (his consort). It is said that, when Shiva was in meditation on this hillock, Kamadeva interrupted his yoga and was therefore burnt to ashes by the fire of Shiva’s anger and hence the hillock got the name Bhasmacala.

This mountain is also called Bhasmakuta. The Kalika Purana states that Urvasikunda is situated here and here resides the goddess Urvasi who brings Amrit (nectar) for the enjoyment of Kamakhya and hence the island got the name Urvasi Island.




No Comments

Trending Blogs

General Read More
Food of Sikkim
Leisure Read More
Know the best places to visit in North east India: Meghalaya and more
Adventure Rush Read More
Trekking in the lost kingdom of Mustang

Latest Blogs

Culture Read More
Finding culture and spirituality on the trans-Bhutan trail
Adventure Rush Read More
Get Ready to Say Goodbye to Solo Trekking in Nepal
Leisure Read More
My Encounter with Mt. Everest at Tiger Hill
Adventure Rush Read More
Summer adventure activities in Meghalaya
A call to all travel junkies
Share your amazing travel stories
&
inspire someone today!
Become a TOURGENIE contributor
Write for our blog
Want to explore more Activities?
Explore Activities
Dzukou Valley Trek-Nagaland Tour Package
Dzukou Valley Trek-Nagaland Tour Package
5 Days 4 Nights
Explore Activities
Spectacular Bhutan Tour
Spectacular Bhutan Tour
9 Days 8 Nights
Explore Activities
7-day Gangtok Pelling Darjeeling tour
7-day Gangtok Pelling Darjeeling tour
8 Days 7 Nights
PARTNERS
ADDRESS:
  • Near Co-Operative, Middle Sichey Gangtok, East Sikkim, India, 737101

    • booking@tourgenie.com
    • support@tourgenie.com