Umananda Temple

Nowadays people are living in a chaotic environment. They want to escape from this hustle and desire to pass time with the beauty of nature and have a spiritual connection with God. If you have such a desire then we got a perfect place for you. That is the Umananda temple.

Umananda temple is a Shiva temple which is situated in the middle of the river Brahmaputra on Umananda Island also known as Peacock Island. The natural beauty with the significance of the temple attracts many people all around the world.

Attraction

The Umananda temple is so attractive to the people, everyday many visitors pay a visit to this temple to pass some time in nature and to get a spiritual connection with Lord Shiva and other Gods and the Goddess of the Hindu religion. It is a Shiva temple but there are shrines of other Gods and Goddesses. Due to that worshippers can worship all their Gods. The temple is fascinating to its people for its natural beauty. The view all around the temple, the Umananda island, the hills, and the river Brahmaputra makes the whole environment so magnificent and it is so much loved by the people.

Nearby attractions are:

History

Colorfuly dressed girls visit the temple complex at Peacock Umananda island in Brahmaputra river near Guwahati

Back then the temple was known as the Umananda develop. It means “The abode of Lord Shiva” and this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple was built by King Gadadhar Singha and he was one of the strongest kings of the Ahom dynasty. Everyone believed that Lord Shiva resided on this island as a Bhayananda and during the beginning of creation Lord Shiva sprinkled ashes here and conveyed the supreme knowledge to his wife, Parvati. The island is also called Urvasi Island as it is considered that Goddess Urvasi also resides on this island. It is said by the legend that Lord Shiva destroyed Kamadeva into ashes on this hillock when he disturbed Him during meditation. The temple used to receive grants and donations from the Mughal emperors Jahangir and Aurangzeb during the Mughal rule. The temple was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1897 it was later reconstructed by a merchant who was a devotee of Lord Shiva.

Inside/Outside Views

The gateway of Umananda temple

The temple has originating rock-cut figures. The sculptures of the temple express that the worshippers followed all principles of Hindu Gods. Though the temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva it has shrines of ten other Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Idols of Surya, Ganesha, Shiva, and the Devi and the ten incarnations of Vishnu are seen in the Umananda temple. The figure of the temple presents the masterly skill of Assamese craftsmen. The temple was crafted amazingly by the Assamese workmen. The atmosphere of the temple is such that you will feel to stay there to spend some quality time in the stunning heaven of nature. The outside view of the temple is mesmerizing. It cannot be expressed in words. The natural sights from the mountain and the view of the Brahmaputra river along with the water wave sound make it so pleasant to the visitors. Umananda Island is considered one of the most beautiful islands.

How to Reach

By road: This temple is 6.9 km away from Guwahati city. It can be easily reached from Guwahati city by bus, cab, or autorickshaw and the visitors need to go to Fancy Bazar ghat and the Sukleshwar ghats from the Guwahati city. From there, people need to take ferries to reach the temple in Umanada island crossing the river Brahmaputra.

By railway: The nearest railway station to Guwahati city is the Guwahati railway station which is 1.4 km away. It will take approximately 4 minutes from the station to reach the city.

By airport: The nearest airport to Guwahati city is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi airport which is 22.2 km away. It will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from the airport to reach the city.

FAQ

Que-01: Is this place safe to visit?

Ans: Yes, it is safe to visit the temple. Every day visitors and devotees from all over the world visit the temple.

Que-02: Is photography allowed in this place?

Ans: Yes, photography is allowed in this temple.

Que-03: Are there any parking facilities in the Umananda temple?

Ans: There are no parking facilities in this temple as visitors need to take boats or ferries to reach the temple from the Fancy Bazar ghats and Sukleshwar ghats.