Assam is a land of rich biodiversity and historical significance. Situated in the North East of India, Assam is a very popular Tourist Destination and pilgrimage site that attracts numerous visitors. There is a long list of exquisite temples in Assam that will in still a sense of spiritualism in a person. The beautiful temples have historical relevance and a lot of myths and stories are connected with them. The religious shrines will transport you to a whole new spiritual journey. Here is a list of the famous temples in Assam that you need to visit whenever you are in Assam.
10 Famous Temples of Assam to Visit
Kamakhya Temple Assam
Location: Guwahati, Assam
Timings: 8am to 1pm and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Entry Fee: For the general public there is no entry fee. However for direct entry you need to pay Rs. 501 and for special entry the fee is Rs.101. Police, defense and paramilitary forces need to pay a fee of Rs. 10.
The Kamakhya Temple in Assam is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Situated on the top of Nilachal Hill, this temple is of utmost religious importance for its devotees. The temple is well maintained by the Government of Assam. The walls of the temples are beautifully curved and the entrance takes you to a huge dome and 3 mandapas and 4 garbhagriha. There is no idol inside the chamber of the temple. Prayers are offered here to the sacred “Yoni” or Womb of the Goddess. The main temple is surrounded by individual temples of Dasa Mahavidyas that is 10 forms of the goddess namely Kali, Tara, Bhubaneshwari, Bhairavi, Sodhashi, Chinnamasta, Dhumavati, Matangi, Bagalamukhi and Kamala.
The Ambubachi Mela is a major celebration in Kamakhya Temple. It is celebrated for 4 consecutive days every year. The temple attracts huge tantra devotees as Kamakya Temple is a centre of Tantra worship. Other important festivals are Durga Puja, Manasha Puja . Durga puja is celebrated in Kamakhya Temple for 5 days during Navratri and attracts a major chunk of visitors.
Umananda Temple Guwahati Assam
Location: Middle of River Brahmaputra
Timings: 5:30 am to 6pm
Entry Fee: Entry is free. The ferry ride to temple costs Rs.10
Umananda Temple is a beautiful temple just in the middle of Brahmaputra River on an island known as Umananda Island or Peacock Island. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva or Lord Umananda who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. In the year 1694 this temple was built by Ahom king Gadhadhar Singha. The temple has a number of statues and rock cut figures. The archeological richness along with religious prominence made this temple one of the most visited temples. Also the view from the island looks captivating.
According to popular mythology retelling this island was built by Lord Shiva for his wife Parvati, and Shiva used to reside here. According to Kalika Purana, Kamadeva once interrupted Shiva when he was deeply meditating and out of anger Shiva burnt Kamadeva activating his powerful third eye. The island is therefore also known as Bhasmanchal.
The main festival of the temple is Shivaratri and a magnificent atmosphere is created around this time of the year. Mondays are considered the most holy days here. You can reach this island after a short ferry ride from Kachari Ghat near the High Court of Guwahati.
Best time to visit is during the winter season from October to February.
Navagraha Temple Assam
Location: Chitranchal Hill, Guwahati
Timings: 4am to 9pm
Entry Fee: Entry is free
Located in the east of Guwahati , the chief deity here implies the Navagraha that is the 9 celestial bodies namely Sun or “Surya”, Moon or “Chandra”, Mars or “Managala”, Mercury or “Budha”, Jupiter or “Brihaspati”, Venus or “Shukra”, Saturn or “Shani”, North Lunar Node “Rahu” and South Lunar node or “Ketu”. The temple serves as an important astronomical and astrological centre. The temple was built by King Rajeswar Singha in 1752 AD but was destroyed by a huge earthquake and was later restored. The garbhagriha was untouched by the earthquake but the upper part of the temple was later made using iron sheets.
The best time to visit the temple is from October to February.
Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji Temple
Location: Guwahati
Timings: 8:30 am to 11:30 am and 4 pm to 6:30 pm
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Sri Balaji Temple in Guwahati is built in the same style of Tirupati Balaji Temple of South India. It was built in the year 1998 and the architecture looks splendid. The presiding deity here is Lord Venkateshwara. There is a ganesha temple at the entrance of the main temple. So people first offer prayer there before offering prayer to Lord Venkateswara. The temple premise is beautiful with sprawling gardens and the ambience is very calm and peaceful. There are other deities like Garuda and Padmavati as well. The Shiva idol here is 40years old. They serve Ladoo as Prasad to the devotees just like the original Tirupati temple.
October to February is the ideal time when you can visit this temple.
Doul Govinda Temple
Location: Foothills of the Chandrabati Hill, Guwahati
Timings: 7am to 8pm
Entry Fee: Free entry
This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Janmashtami is celebrated here with a lot of vigour. The main festival here is the Holi Festival that is celebrated over a span of 5 days and almost 5000 devotees gather around this time.
During the evening there is Kirtan along with Aarati followed by distributing Bhog Prasad to the devotees.
October to February are the ideal months for the temple visit.
Aswaklanta Temple
Location: Amingaon, Doul Govinda Road, North Guwahati
Timings: 7am to 5pm
Entry Fee: No entry fee for general entry. Direct entry fee is Rs. 501.
One of the oldest temples in Assam is the Aswaklanta Temple, also known as Asvakranta temple. The chief deities here are Lord Vishnu and Lord Janardan. The form of Lord Vishnu worshipped here is called the Anantasayin Vishnu. The wall carvings in the temple are one of the major attractions for the visitors here. Also the devotees believe that a visit to this temple can wash away people of their sins and they can attain salvation. The temple was destroyed in the 1897 earthquake but it was later restored by the then Viceroy of Assam, Lord Curzon in 1901.
According to popular beliefs, Lord Krishna stopped here with his horses before killing Narakasur. There his Horses or “Asva” were encircled, that is “Akranta” by the enemies, hence the name Asvakranta. Asvakranta also means “Ascended by Horses”. Another belief is that on his way to Dwarka, Lord Krishna stopped here as his horses got tired or “Klanta”, hence the name Aswaklanta.
The main festivals here are Janmastami and Ashokashtami. You can also visit here from October to February which is the perfect time to explore the temple.
Basistha Temple
Location: Guwahati
Timings: 6 am to 9 pm
Entry Fee: No entry fee
The Basistha Temple was constructed by Raja Rajeswar in the latter half of 18th century. This is the last existing monument constructed by the Ahom rulers. The temple gives a breathtaking view, situated on the banks of a mountain stream originating from Meghalaya. It is believed that Rishi Vasistha or Basistha used to reside here. The temple is easily accessible but the cave where sage Vasistha used to meditate is almost 5km inside the temple. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva.
October to February are the best months if you are planning to visit this temple.
Ugratara Temple
Location: Uzan Bazar, Guwahati
Timings: 5:30am to 8pm
Entry Fee: Entry is free
This is one of the most important Shanti Peetha and it is said the temple is related to the navel of Goddess Sati. The temple is dedicated to Devi Tara, was built by King Seva Singha in 1752 beside a tank called the Jur Pukhuri. The temple was destroyed by the earthquake and later restored by the local citizens.
The garbhagriha or inside of the temple doesn’t have any idol. A small pit filled with water is worshipped as the Goddess. There is also a Shivalaya beside the temple. Animal sacrifice is still practiced in this temple.
The main festivals are Durga Puja and Kali Puja. It is best to visit the temple during that time of the year.
Kedareswar temple
Location: Madanchala Hillock, Guwahati
Timings: 6am to 9pm
This temple of Kedareswar has one of the rarest self originated Syambhu Linga in the Ardhanareshwar form that is the amalgamation of male and female form of Lord Shiva. The temple was constructed during the medieval period by Raja Rajeswar Singh in 1753. This temple holds a prominent position as a historical, cultural as well as an archeological site.
October to March is the perfect time to make a visit to this temple.
Sukreswar Temple
Location: MG Road, Pan Bazar, Guwahati
Timings: 6 am to 7pm
Entry Fee: Free entry
Situated on the Sukreswar or Itakhuli hill on the bank of Brahmaputra, the Sukreswar Temple is an important temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was constructed by Raja Pramatta Singha in the year 1744. The temple compound leads to the Brahmaputra River after climbing a long step of stairs. You can get a mesmerizing view of Umananda Island from there. The ambience is peaceful and serene and you can have some leisurely time with your family while watching the sunset.
If you want to have a peaceful time visiting these beautiful temples then you won’t be disappointed. The stone carvings and beautiful ambience, the historical and cultural significance of these famous temples in Assam will take you a notch higher in your spiritual and religious journey. So make a list of all these temples in Assam, and have your heart and mind purified.
Let me know if this article was helpful for you. If there are any temples that you have visited or wish to visit, then leave a comment down below.
