Tourist Places in Assam:
Kamakhya Temple:
The Kamakhya Temple in Assam is one of the most venerated Shakti shrines in India, and is regarded as one of the Shakti Peethams associated with the legend of Shiva and Daksha Yagna.
Kamakhya is located on a hill - Neelachala Parvat or Kamagiri near the city of Guwahati in Assam. Shakti, residing on the Kamagiri hill is known as Kamakhya, the granter of desires. Assam traditionally has been known as the Kamarupa Desa and has been associated with Tantric practices and Shakti worship.
This temple was destroyed in early 16th century, and then rebuilt in the 17th century by King Nara Narayana, of Cooch Bihar. Images of the builder and related inscriptions are seen in the temple.
The Kalika Purana, an ancient work in Sanskrit describes Kamakhya as the yielder of all desires, the young bride of Shiva, and the giver of salvation.
Legend has it that following the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice and the Rudra Tandava of Shiva parts of Sati's body fell at several places throughout India, and these places are revered as Shakti peethas. The reproductive organ of Sati, (the Yoni) is said to have fallen here.
Legend also has it that the supreme creative power of Bhrahma was challenged by Shakti, the mother Goddess, and that Bhrahma could thereafter create, only with the blessings of the Yoni, as the sole creative principle. After much penance, Bhrahma brought down a luminous body of light from space and placed it within the Yoni circle, which was created by the Goddess and placed at Kamarupa.
The temple has a beehive like shikhara. Some of the sculptured panels seen here are of interest. There are images of Ganesha, Chamundeswari, dancing fitures etc.
There is no image of Shakti here. Within a corner of a cave in the temple, there is a sculptored image of the Yoni of the Goddess, which is the object of reverence. A natural spring keeps the stone moist.
Other temples on the Neelachala hill include those of Tara, Bhairavi, Bhuvaneswari and Ghantakarna.
Location: Kamakhya is located on a hill - Neelachala Parvat or Kamagiri near the city of Guwahati in Assam.
The Festivals at Kamrupa Kamakhya
A unique festival observed here is the Ambubasi (Ameti) fertility festival. It is believed that, the Goddess (mother Earth) undergoes her menstrual period during this period. At that time the temple is closed for three days and opened with great festivity on the fourth day. It is believed to be inauspicious to till the ground or to plant seeds, during this period.
Durga Puja is celebrated annually during Navaratri (Durga Puja in West Bengal) in the month of September- October. It is a three day festival attracting several visitors.
Sightseeing near Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati
Atop a hill in east Guwahati is the Navagraha temple - the "temple of nine planets," - an ancient seat of astrology and astronomy. Housed in a red beehive-shaped dome, the central lingam is encircled by further nine representing the planets (graha) - Sun (Surya, Ravi), Moon (Chandra, Soma), Mercury (Buddh), Venus (Sukra), Mars (Mangal), Jupiter (Brhaspati) and Saturn (Sani). Two more were added, Rahu and Ketu, the dragon's head and the dragon's tail, or the ascending and descending nodes of the moon.
Above Kamakhya is another small temple, Bhubaneshwari, from where one can have a bird's eye view of the Guwahati.
Assam is famous for Majuli, the world's largest river island. Majuli is situated amidst the Brahmaputra River and accessible by ferry from the tea estate town of Jorhat.
The total area of Majuli has been steadily decreasing due to strong erosion of the river Brahmaputra. Majuli is the centre of Vaishnava ‘Satra’ culture and known for the numerous satras, or Vaishnavite monasteries set up in the 16th century by the revivalist leader, Sankaradeva. UNESCO has recently notified the island as 'World Heritage Site' for its unique preservation of Vaishnavite culture. There are about 22 Satras in Majuli. Some of the major Satras are Kamalabari, Natun Kamalabari, Auniati, Garmur, Samoguri, Dakhinpat and Bengenaati.
The Satras give a projection into dance forms, literature and classical studies, antiques, mask craft and other aspects of Assam’s culture heritage. Auniati is famous for its considerable collection of Assamese old utensils, jewellery and handicrafts. Upper Majuli is the centre of a living heritage of colourful costumes and festivals. Members of the Mishing tribe that came from Arunachal Pradesh live here, and are renowned for their woven Mirizen shawls and blankets. A large variety of migratory birds can also be seen here.
Majuli island has an area of about 1080 sq. kms. And is located in the Brahmaputra Valley, Assam state. Majuli enjoys the privilege of being the largest river island in the world. Crested in the bosom of the mighty Brahmaputra and fondly tucked up by Lohit and Khabalu with loving care. It is listed in the UNESCO as world Heritage Site.
Majuli`s individual distinctiveness is that it is not uphill, down dale, snow capped mountains or warbling mountain springs which put a tourist into the thrall in Majub, but it is the freedom of the wind, the freedom of the rivers, the vistas of freedom opening up one after another, the freedom of the birds and the pristine primitiveness, simplicity and innocence of the people living for centuries at close proximity of nature that sways, excites and thrifis the imagination of the tourists.
During the monsoon, the rivers swell and vast tracts of land are submerged. The old and the young and even children steer clear on their rowing boats to safe destinations. No one seems scared of the swelling torrents and no depths seem unchartered water for them. At night wild geese and ducks fly in flocks high above one's head to far-away destinations. Wild birds of a thousand ldnds- local as well as migratory swarm the heels and rivers in Majuli.
There are islands within islands in Majuli and like a capricious woman quickly changing her mood; the landmass keeps changing its shape after every summer. Its beauty reminds a visitor of the shifting reality of the rainbow. .
Best time to visit - autumn and winter.
Access
Majuli is just 20 Kms away from Jorhat. To visit Majuli, one has to Vail the bus or hired taxi service up to Nimati Steamer Ghat and from there embark a Steamer or rowing boat.
Where to Stay ?
Circuit House, Govt. Inspection Bungalo and the Xatras with prior arrangement.
Kamakhya Temple:
The Kamakhya Temple in Assam is one of the most venerated Shakti shrines in India, and is regarded as one of the Shakti Peethams associated with the legend of Shiva and Daksha Yagna.
This temple was destroyed in early 16th century, and then rebuilt in the 17th century by King Nara Narayana, of Cooch Bihar. Images of the builder and related inscriptions are seen in the temple.
The Kalika Purana, an ancient work in Sanskrit describes Kamakhya as the yielder of all desires, the young bride of Shiva, and the giver of salvation.
Legend has it that following the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice and the Rudra Tandava of Shiva parts of Sati's body fell at several places throughout India, and these places are revered as Shakti peethas. The reproductive organ of Sati, (the Yoni) is said to have fallen here.
Legend also has it that the supreme creative power of Bhrahma was challenged by Shakti, the mother Goddess, and that Bhrahma could thereafter create, only with the blessings of the Yoni, as the sole creative principle. After much penance, Bhrahma brought down a luminous body of light from space and placed it within the Yoni circle, which was created by the Goddess and placed at Kamarupa.
The temple has a beehive like shikhara. Some of the sculptured panels seen here are of interest. There are images of Ganesha, Chamundeswari, dancing fitures etc.
There is no image of Shakti here. Within a corner of a cave in the temple, there is a sculptored image of the Yoni of the Goddess, which is the object of reverence. A natural spring keeps the stone moist.
Other temples on the Neelachala hill include those of Tara, Bhairavi, Bhuvaneswari and Ghantakarna.
Location: Kamakhya is located on a hill - Neelachala Parvat or Kamagiri near the city of Guwahati in Assam.
The Festivals at Kamrupa Kamakhya
Ambubasi / Ambubachi (Ameti)
A unique festival observed here is the Ambubasi (Ameti) fertility festival. It is believed that, the Goddess (mother Earth) undergoes her menstrual period during this period. At that time the temple is closed for three days and opened with great festivity on the fourth day. It is believed to be inauspicious to till the ground or to plant seeds, during this period.
Durga Puja
Durga Puja is celebrated annually during Navaratri (Durga Puja in West Bengal) in the month of September- October. It is a three day festival attracting several visitors.
Sightseeing near Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati
Guwahati Zoo
One must visit the Guwahati Zoo, which is the largest natural zoo of the country. Shiva Temple
The Shiva temple of Umananda, reached by motor boats and public ferries from Umananda Ghat, stands on an island in the middle of the Brahmaputra. Navagraha Temple
Vashistha Ashram
At a distance of 12 km from the railway station is the Vashistha Ashram (the abode of sage Vashistha), an interesting old shrine, with plenty of greenness and three beautiful streams, Lalita, Kanta and Sandhya. Several other temples like the Ugratara temple, famous for its golden idol and buffalo sacrifices, are also spread across the city.Bhubaneshwari Temple
Majuli Island
Assam is famous for Majuli, the world's largest river island. Majuli is situated amidst the Brahmaputra River and accessible by ferry from the tea estate town of Jorhat.
The Satras give a projection into dance forms, literature and classical studies, antiques, mask craft and other aspects of Assam’s culture heritage. Auniati is famous for its considerable collection of Assamese old utensils, jewellery and handicrafts. Upper Majuli is the centre of a living heritage of colourful costumes and festivals. Members of the Mishing tribe that came from Arunachal Pradesh live here, and are renowned for their woven Mirizen shawls and blankets. A large variety of migratory birds can also be seen here.
Majuli island has an area of about 1080 sq. kms. And is located in the Brahmaputra Valley, Assam state. Majuli enjoys the privilege of being the largest river island in the world. Crested in the bosom of the mighty Brahmaputra and fondly tucked up by Lohit and Khabalu with loving care. It is listed in the UNESCO as world Heritage Site.
Majuli`s individual distinctiveness is that it is not uphill, down dale, snow capped mountains or warbling mountain springs which put a tourist into the thrall in Majub, but it is the freedom of the wind, the freedom of the rivers, the vistas of freedom opening up one after another, the freedom of the birds and the pristine primitiveness, simplicity and innocence of the people living for centuries at close proximity of nature that sways, excites and thrifis the imagination of the tourists.
During the monsoon, the rivers swell and vast tracts of land are submerged. The old and the young and even children steer clear on their rowing boats to safe destinations. No one seems scared of the swelling torrents and no depths seem unchartered water for them. At night wild geese and ducks fly in flocks high above one's head to far-away destinations. Wild birds of a thousand ldnds- local as well as migratory swarm the heels and rivers in Majuli.
There are islands within islands in Majuli and like a capricious woman quickly changing her mood; the landmass keeps changing its shape after every summer. Its beauty reminds a visitor of the shifting reality of the rainbow. .
Best time to visit - autumn and winter.
Access
Majuli is just 20 Kms away from Jorhat. To visit Majuli, one has to Vail the bus or hired taxi service up to Nimati Steamer Ghat and from there embark a Steamer or rowing boat.
Where to Stay ?
Circuit House, Govt. Inspection Bungalo and the Xatras with prior arrangement.
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