A Unique Navagraha Temple in Guwahati

   
     


           

Entrance to the Temple

In the Temple Sanctum

Idols of other gods with a tray to give Dakshina

                                   

In Guwahati one finds unique temples with structures quite different from those of other places. In Kamakhya the Goddess is worshipped in the form of Yoni in a dark cave with flowing water. In Ugratara temple a small tank filled with water is considered as the Goddess. In this Navagraha temple the nine planets are seen in forms of nine Lingas draped around with cloths of different colors sacred to nine planets. In the center the Sun God is seen in the form of Linga wrapped with a red cloth. In many other temples the Navagrahas are seen in a subsidiary shrine on an elevated platform as idols along with their mounts(vahanas) and sometimes with their spouses also. But here one finds all nine planets at one place in Linga form in a red-colored dome-shaped temple.

 The ancient name for Guwahati “Pragjyothishapura” is derived from the location of this temple as “Prag” means eastern and “Jyothishapura” means a town with Vedic Astrology. Actually there was an ancient temple here built in 4^th century. Later under the direction of the Ahom king Rajeshwar Singha , Tarun Durarah constructed this present temple in 1752. A stone inscription on the wall of the temple records this fact. The upper part of the temple was damaged due to an earthquake in later times. The Garbhagriha(Inner Sanctum) built with bricks remained intact. A corrugated tin sheet is seen as roof. The temple was renovated in between 1923 and 1945.

This temple serves as a research center for Astrological and Astronomical studies. In the sanctum one can see the nine planetary gods and pour oil in the big oil lamps. The inner sanctum seems very dark and is only lit by oil lamps.The pond constructed by Rajasingha  (Silphukuri Pond) is still  used for water supply. A stone tablet with inscription near the tank testifies this fact. This temple is open from  6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. The devotees should be careful about their belongings as there are many monkeys scrambling around.

 Archana, Aarti and Abhishekam are performed every day here. Special poojas are done during festival days like Shiv Chaturdasi and Maha Shiva Rathri. This temple is believed to have aligned the mighty celestial forces of the sacred planets in one place. The temple situated on the top of Chitrachal provides a panoramic view of the city with the river Brahmaputra flowing nearby. One feels a sense of satisfaction of seeing a temple with unique idols surrounded by scenic hills and flowing river.

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   22nd December, 2018                                 Somaseshu Gutala

About Assam State Museum, Guwahati

Folk drama

                      

Lord Shiva

                      

Model of the Mohenjodaro public bath

Musical Instruments

Village Life 

Musical instruments

Vessels made of bamboo

terracotta Figurines

Village Assembly

Weapons

Umamaheshwara

large container

large utensil

Various tools

Durga

Terracotta Figures

Mahishasuramardini metal figure

Bellmetal bell

Assam State Musuem Road

Assam State Museum(Assam Rajyik Musuem)

This Museum is a worth-visiting place as it gives a clear picture of Assamese rich culture and art besides the varied traditions and cultures of Northeastern states in general. This museum is located on GNB Road at the southern end of the Dighali Pukhuri Tank. The building looks very big with a beautiful garden in the front. It is one of India’s largest multipurpose museums having more than twelve galleries. Out of the 14,000 objects collected nearly five thousand objects are kept on display in various sections.

 In manuscript Section ancient manuscripts in Assamese, Tai, and Myanmarese written on barks of trees are seen. In Arms and Ammunition section swords, daggers and shields used by Ahom kings and ammunitions of Koch and Mughal kings along with modern weapons and ammunition used by Japanese during II world War are seen. The cannons and cannon balls used by Ahom soldiers in wars are also displayed.

 In Pre-historic section specimens made of stone, wood, metal and terracotta objects belonging to Indus Valley Civilisation (Harappa and Mohenjodaro) and terracotta objects found in Assam and Northeast India are displayed. In Numuismatic and Sculptures section coins belonging to Ahom and Moghul periods are seen. A coin cabinet holding more than six thousand coins of reveals the large collection of coins of different periods and cultures. The metal statues of Durga, Vishnu and Nataraja are some of the attractive objects in this section.

In Epigraphy section copper plates and stone slabs with inscriptions describing victories, land grants and about construction of temples are seen. These inscriptions dating from fifth to eighteenth century are written in Sanskrit and Assamese in various scripts. In Sculptures and Handicrafts section sculptures of Vishnu, Durga, Surya and Shiva are seen. Objects made of bamboo and metal show the skills of folk art.

 In Ethnography section artifacts of ethnic communities of Assam such as Bodo,Rabha, Dimasa,Tiwa,Karbi,Sonowal and Kachari are displayed. Traditional homemade textiles, clay flute and ethnic dress items are seen. 

In Natural History section models of Rhinoceros, crocodiles, birds, moths and butterflies are displayed.On the ground floor a replica of Assamese cottage with various domestic tools and weapons are beautifully re-created. The local musical instruments, the village assembly, the festive celebration of tribal society are very picturesque and impressive. 

In the library established  on 26^th January,1984 one can see a very rich collection of periodicals, journals and books relating to art, culture, mythology. There is a conservation laboratory here which preserves and restores old sculptures, manuscripts, old coins, garments, sculptures and paintings. Nearly two thousand objects are preserved in this section. The Museum authorities recently celebrated their 79^th foundation day. They declared that they would develop the museum into a world-class museum and would also host a south-east Asian gallery. Really one feels that one has entered a new world and got a new glimpse of Assamese and Northeastern way of life and about their arts and traditions. 

This museum was founded by Kamarupa Anusandhan Samiti (Assam Research Society) in 1940 and was later taken over by the state Government in 1953. The working hours of this museum are from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. every day except on Monday and second and fourth Saturdays. The entry fee is Rs.10/- per person and for taking photos a special ticket for Rs.20/ is to be taken. In winter the opening hours are from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

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      3rd December, 2018                                              Somaseshu Gutala

About Umananda temple, Guwahati

Umananda temple Entrance

Umananda Temple interior

                                                                                     Temple Tower

View of peacock island

Lord Umananda in the sanctum

Rock sculptures

Rock sculptures of various gods

Sculptures on the walls in side the main hall

Pictures of various gods at the entrance

Idol of Ganesha's Mount at the entrance

Chandrasekhara Temple on the side of the main temple

Lord Chandrasekhara in the sanctum

ferries carrying devotees

Golden langurs on trees

Ducks in temple premises

  This temple is a must visit as it is located on an island called “Peacock Island” in the middle of the Brahmaputra river in the northern part of Guwahati. One has to go in a ferry or boat to reach this temple which is seen on a hillock called Bhasmachala or Bhasmakuta. One has to climb more than 150 steps to reach the temple. One can book ferry ride from Uzan Ferry Ghat (Kachari Ghat) managed by Inland Water transport. The fee is 20/- per person. This official boat service is available from 7.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. After that time one has to pay extra amount to avail the ferry services. If you engage private ferry services you have to pay more than Rs.100/- per person. One can go to Umananda from Shukleswar Ghat  and Fancy Bazar Ghat also. 

The ferry ride gives you a beautiful view of the flowing Brahmaputra River with distant view of hills and greenery. The journey takes just 15 to 20 minutes to reach the foot of the Bhasmakuta hill. While climbing steps one can see an abundant number of trees and different kinds of birds also. According to bird-watchers there are nearly twenty species of birds in this area. The golden langurs one of the rarest type of monkeys are seen on this island only.

As per legend this island was created by Lord Shiva to make His spouse, Uma happy. So this place is called Umananda. The British people named this island as peacock island as the shape of the island looks like splayed feathers of a peacock. This island is regarded as the smallest river island in the world. Lord Shiva while doing penance here was disturbed by Kama’s arrows. So Shiva became angry and burnt him to ashes with his blazing third eye. So this hill is named as Bhasmachal or Bhasmakut. Near this island there is a kund called Urvasi Kund.  It is believed that the divine Lady Urvasi staying here brings Amrit(nectar) to Goddess Kamakhya for Her enjoyment.The temple of Umanada was built in Kamarupa style with a red colored dome. One has to descend a few steps to see the Lord as the sanctum is at a deeper level. The passage to the sanctum is very narrow and every time five to six devotees are allowed to climb down the steps. Inside the sanctum a tiny Shiva Ling is seen with a pedestal on the ground level. 

This temple was built by the Ahom king gadadhara Singha(1681-1696) who was a devotee of Shiva. During the massive earthquakle (8.1 scale) in 1897, the temple was damaged. Later a local merchant renovated the temple and inscribed the interior part of the temple with Vaishnavite slogans. The sculptures of Ganesha, Shiva and Devi (with a scorpion as an emblem) are carved on the rocky walls of the temple showing the architectural skills of the local sculptors.The temple is crowded during Mondays and Mahashiva ratri. During Shiva Chaturdasi a colorful festival is held here. People believe that pooja offered to Lord Shiva on Monday with Amavasya Thithi brings highest merit and bliss to the devotees.The temple timings are from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Near the entrance of the temple premises there is Ganesha’s shrine with a big sculpture of a rat in sitting position facing the idol of Ganesha in the shrine. There is a Hanuman temple beside the temple. Another Shiva shrine called Chandrasekhara shrine is seen beside the main shrine. The dasavataras of Vishnu are seen on the outer walls of newly constructed temple walls. The calm surroundings with beautiful scenes of trees and birds makes one feel very happy and relaxed. 

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    29th November, 2018                                                 Somaseshu Gutala