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