| Duration: | 9 Hour(s) - 30 Minute(s) |
| Tour Category: | Full Day Tours |
Kamakhya Temple
Kamakhya Temple is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in India, located on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam, approximately 8 km from the Guwahati Railway Station. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, an important deity in Tantric Hinduism.
Apart from Goddess Kamakhya, the temple complex houses shrines dedicated to the Ten Mahavidyas, namely Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, and Kamala.
Mythological History
Kamakhya Temple has a fascinating mythological origin and is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas revered in Hindu tradition.
According to legend, Goddess Sati wished to attend her father Daksha's grand yajna despite Lord Shiva's objections. During the ceremony, Daksha insulted Lord Shiva, leaving Sati deeply hurt. Unable to bear the humiliation, she immolated herself in the sacrificial fire.
Overcome with grief and rage, Lord Shiva carried Sati's body on his shoulders and performed the Tandava, the dance of destruction. To restore balance to the universe, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to divide Sati's body into several parts. The places where these body parts fell became known as the Shakti Peethas. Kamakhya Temple is especially significant because it is believed that Goddess Sati's womb and yoni (female reproductive organ) fell at this sacred site.
Umananda Temple
Umananda Temple is situated on Peacock Island, a small island in the Brahmaputra River, and is often regarded as one of the smallest inhabited river islands in the world. Visitors can reach the temple by taking a ferry from the riverbank.
The temple stands atop Bhasmachala Hill and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
According to the Kalika Purana, Lord Shiva imparted spiritual knowledge to Goddess Parvati at this very place before entering deep meditation. It is believed that Kamadeva, the god of love, disturbed Shiva's meditation. Enraged, Lord Shiva opened his third eye and reduced Kamadeva to ashes. As a result, the hill came to be known as Bhasmachala, meaning "the hill of ashes."
Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra
Timings
Open Daily: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra is a premier cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich art, culture, and heritage of Assam.
Spread across a vast campus, the complex features museums, cultural galleries, open-air theatres, sculptures, traditional architecture, and exhibition halls that beautifully represent the diverse ethnic communities and cultural traditions of Assam.
Named after Srimanta Shankardeva, the great saint, scholar, social reformer, and pioneer of the Assamese renaissance, this institution offers visitors a comprehensive insight into the state's history, traditions, music, dance, and literature. The beauty and cultural richness of Kalakshetra are best appreciated through a personal visit.
Basistha Ashram
Basistha Ashram (also known as Vasistha Ashram) is located in the southeastern part of Guwahati. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was constructed in 1764 by Ahom King Rajeswar Singha, who also donated 835 bighas of land for the ashram.
The history of the ashram dates back to the Vedic period and is closely associated with the great sage Vasistha (Basistha), who is believed to have established his hermitage here.
The temple is situated on the banks of mountain streams flowing down from the Meghalaya Hills, which later form the Basistha and Bahini (Bharalu) rivers.
The ashram is located approximately 10–12 km from Guwahati, on the edge of the Garbhanga Reserve Forest, which is home to elephants and has also been proposed as a butterfly reserve.
One of the major attractions of the ashram is the sacred cave, located about 5 km inside the forest, where Sage Vasistha is believed to have meditated. Visitors can also enjoy the peaceful surroundings and a beautiful natural waterfall within the ashram premises.
