The temples in Assam occupy a significant place in history. The archaeologists have got various relevant pieces of evidence regarding Hinduism that were prevalent in the state of Assam. The state is home to a large number of temples from various groups of Hinduism.
The architectural style that is seen is a huge dome structure of polygonal shape. This shape is placed over a chariot like structure. The temples are also home to a large number of ancient statues and artefacts that are also found in and around various sites of the temples.
The prominent examples of these classified architectures are seen in the famous yoni temple that is popularly known as the Kamakhya temple, the Navagraha temple of GuwahatiAssam, the Dirgheswari temple, the Umananda bhairav temple of Assam and so on.
Temples in Assam
Temples are widely recognized as an important site for the evaluation of history and culture. Temples in Assam proved to be a major site for gathering relevant evidence that has shown the various mysteries revolving around Hinduism. The number of temples is very large and each such temple is built with great architectural uniqueness and has great importance.
The temples of the Sugureshwara temple, the Bhairavi temple, the Kamala temple, the Kali temple, the Tara temple, the Kamakhya temple are important temples under this category of study. Other temples are the Dirgheswari temple, the Doul Govinda Temple. The Basista muni temple and ashram, Nabagraha temple, the Birla temple, Kedareswara temple, Lalmati Ganesh temple, the Bageshwari temple,
Kamakhya temple in Assam
Historical significance
The Kamakhya temple popularly referred to as the yoni temple is derived from the word “Kama” and “khya”. The temple is present in the famous Nilachal hills of Guwahati Assam. This temple is one of the most famous of all the shakti peeth in India. Legends refer to this place as the place where the womb of Goddess Sati fell after the tandav of Shiva. The temple is also called the “temple of the bleeding goddess”. Thus the temple is entirely dedicated to the goddess Shakti in Hindu Purana.
Popular festivals
The “Ambubachi mela” is the most famous celebration of this place. The celebration mainly revolves around the menstruation of the goddess. Durga puja is also celebrated widely in the temple.
Architecture
The entire temple is famous for the rich diversity that exists in the architecture. The temple is divided into various segments like the garbhagriha, the top doom, the nat mandir, the calanta and the pancharatna
Worship
The main deity of the temple is the Kamakhya Devi. There is no idol of hers. The main part of the yoni is covered with flowers and saree and a small water stream flows out of the rock just beside the place. The place is also famous for the followers of the tantric system or occult form.
Navagraha temple in Guwahati Assam
Historical significance
The temple is dedicated to nine different celestial bodies. These celestial bodies are important from the point of astrology. The “Nava” here refers to the number 9, and ” Graha ” here refers to the planets or the celestial bodies. This temple was a famous site from the point of astrological practice since ancient times. The temple is present over the Chitrasala hill in Guwahati Assam. The temple was built by the king named Rajeswar Singha.
Popular Festival
The popular festival here is the mahashivratri.
Architecture
The temple is divided in the usual style that predominantly exists in the state of Assam. The temple is constructed over the Chitrasala hill. The travellers have come to the temple by crossing over a large group of stairs. The temple is divided into the nat mandir and finally the garbhagriha.
Worship
The main idols of the temple are nine different lingas of the god shiva. These lingams are covered in nine different colours of clothes and they represent different celestial bodies like the sun, the moon, the sukra, the Brihaspati and so on.
Kamakhya Temple | The Kamakhya Temple, which is located on the Nilachal Hill in the western portion of Guwahati, Assam, is one of India’s 51 Shakti Peethas. |
Negheriting Shiva Doul | In the Golaghat region, the Negheriting Shiva Doul is located atop a hillside |
Siva Dol | The Siva Dol is a complex structure that includes three Hindu temples, Vishnu Dol, and Devi Dol shrines, located on the banks of the Borpukhuri in the heart of Sivasagar. |
Kedareswara Temple | Ahom King Rajeswar Singha built the Kedareswar temple in 1753 as a notable mediaeval temple devoted to Lord Shiva. |
Asvakranta Temple | Lord Vishnu temple near Brahmaputra river. |
Conclusion
The temple in Assam has a lot of significance in history and Hinduism. The temples have withstood various invasions and natural calamities for ages. The architectural patterns and designs are also significant from the point of detailed research in this field. These temples are widely scattered throughout the state of Assam. These temples depict different forms of Hinduism like the Shakti worship, Shaivism, the Vaishnavas.
The temple denotes nine different celestial bodies. The other important temples include the Dirghewari temple, the Birla temple, the Tara temple, the Baglamukhi temple, the Bhairavi temple, the Bhuvaneswari temple, the dolagobinda temple and so on.