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Uma Nanda Temple (mandir)

The Uma Nanda Temple is located on the Peacock Island in the midst of the river Brahmaputra in Guwahati. The one option to attain the temple (mandir) is by ferries and motor launches from the Uma Nanda Ghat located between the State Financial institution of India and the Ashoka Resort in Guwahati.

Dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, Uma Nanda is probably the most respected temple (mandir) in the complete state and entices vacationers from far and broad to come back and visit it. In the course of the event of Shivaratri, every year, hundreds of worshippers come to this a part of the state to seek the blessings of the Lord.

In 1694 A.D., the temple was created by Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique below orders from King Gadadhar Singh of the Tai-Ahom dynasty. The innumerous engravings and sculptures that adorn the rock partitions of the temple are incomparable in magnificence and depict the excellent craftsmanship of the native Assamese artisans. Virtually, all the principal Hindu gods like Surya, Shiva, Ganesha and Devi has been engraved superbly within the rock walls of the temple (mandir). Apart from this, sculptures of Lord Vishnu and his ten incarnations are also found within the neighborhood of the temple.

The plot of land over which the temple (mandir) has been raised is called Bhasmachala. Legend has it that once, while Lord Shiva was meditating on this hill, Kamadeva interrupted his yoga and was burnt to ashes by the fireplace of his anger and therefore the name. According to the Kalika Purana, goddess Urvashi who brings nectar for the pleasure of Kamakhya resided right here and subsequently, the island is also known as Urvashi Island.

Due to a devastating earthquake in 1897, a considerable portion of the temple (mandir) was damaged. This was later reconstructed by a wealthy native merchant who also added Vaisnavite inscriptions to the inside a part of the temple (mandir). It is a well-liked perception that worshipping right here on an Amavasya day, particularly when it falls on a Monday, brings the highest bliss. Besides this, the Shiva Chaturdasi is also held right here annually for the worship of the deity.