Famous Temples in India

UMANANDA TEMPLE

Guwahati, Assam, India

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God

Umananda is the main deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Here deity is in form of Lingam.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to July (32°C during day and 25°C during night)Average - May (30°C during the day and 24°C during night)Lowest - November to February (27°C during day and 15°C during night)Monsoon season - July to September

Dress Code

  • For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
  • For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
  • These rules are applicable for foreigners also. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
  • Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed.

Do's & Dont's

  • Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  • Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.
  • Smo​king is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises.

transport connections

Name Distance Contact Number
Dighalipukhuri Bus Stand
950 MTRS 9435040706
Guwahati Railway Station
1.4 KM 139
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport
22 KM 0361-2841909

Architecture

Umananda Temple is located on Peacock Island that lies on the mighty Brahmaputra River. This serene place of worship is named after and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The name 'Umananda' comes from the two Hindi words, namely 'Uma', which was another name for Lord Shiva’s wife and 'Ananda' which means happiness. In fact, Peacock Island is one of the smallest inhabited island and possibly one of the most beautiful too. The surroundings of the temple and the divine but understated beauty of the island make it a haven for nature lovers. The Umananda Temple is nestled in the lap of serene Peacock Island whose shores are washed by the mighty Brahmaputra. The only way to reach this temple is to board ferries and motor launches available at the Umananda Ghat. Then, there is a small climb of 100 steps to reach the temple. Although the temple is devoted 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 found in the Umananda temple. The beautifully designed temple can be reached by a winding flight of stairs. The temple in itself is an epitome of the mastery of the Assamese craftsmen and architects. The sanctum sanctorum encloses the rock on which Lord Shiva sat to meditate.

Religious Significance

Siva is said to have resided here in the form of Bhayananda. According to the Kalika Purana, in the beginning of the creation Siva sprinkled ashes (bhasma) at this place and imparted knowledge to Parvati (his consort). It is said that, when Siva was in meditation on this hillock, Kamadeva interrupted his yoga and was therefore burnt to ashes by the fire of Siva’s anger and hence the hillock got the name Bhasmacala. This mountain is also called Bhasmakuta. The Kalika Purana states that Urvasikunda is situated here and here resides the goddess Urvasi who brings Amrit (nectar) for the enjoyment of Kamakhya and hence the island got the name Urvasi Island. 

History

Brick temple of Umananda was built in 1694 A.D. by the Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique by the order of King Gadadhar Singha (1681–1696), one of the ablest and strongest rulers of the Ahom dynasty. Evidence of a stone temple belonging to the post-Gupta period can be seen on the site. The site has stone sculptures and carvings belonging to the early mediaeval period. Achaturbhuja stone female figure still exists here besidesrock cut figures of Ganesa and a cave. The original temple was however immensely damaged by a devastating earthquake of 1897. Later, it was reconstructed by a rich local merchant who chose to inscribe the interior part of a Siva temple with Vaisnavite slogans. During the short period of the Mughal occupation of Kamrupa. Land men and money were received by the priests of the temples of Umananda from the Mughal Emperors Jahangir and Aurangzeb.

Temple Timings

Day Timings
All Days 05:30 AM - 06:00 PM

Tours










Airports

Airport Name Distance
Shamshabad 40 KM
Lorem Ipsum 12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name Distance
Secunderabad 10 KM
Nampally 12 KM
Begumpet 6 KM
Lingampally 20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name Distance
MGBS 35 KM
CBS 28 KM
kukatpally 20 KM
Lingampally 30 KM
Uppal 35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Private Transport 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757

Local Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Local Transport 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757

Nearest Temples

NAVAGRAHA TEMPLE
 Guwahati, Assam, India

Temple was built during the time of King Rajesvar Singh in 1752 A.D.

Distance: 3 KM
SUKRESWAR MANDIR
 Guwahati, Assam, India

Temple was built by the great Ahom ruler Pramatta Singha in 1744 A.D.

Distance: 3.4 KM
SREE KAMAKHYA DEVI TEMPLE
 Kamakhya, Guwahati, Assam, India

Home to the mythical womb and vagina of Shakti

Distance: 8.2 KM
RUDRESWAR TEMPLE
 Rudreswar, Guwahati, Assam, India

The design of the temple is an imitation of the Mughal mausoleum

Distance: 22.6 KM

Nearest Attractions

Wildlife POBITORA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
  Pabitara, Morigaon, Assam, India

It is famous and oldest sanctuary in Morigaon

Distance:43.6 KM

User Reviews

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UMANANDA TEMPLE

Guwahati, Assam, India

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