Umananda is an ancient temple situated right in the middle of the river Brahmaputra.
Its picturesque and a must visit place near Guwahati.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Siva created this place his wife Uma's happiness and pleasure.
Siva is said to have resided here in the form of Bhayananda. Thats why this
place is called Uma-Nanda. Uma means Siva's wife and Ananda means happiness.
According to another myth in Kalika Purana, Lord Siva
burnt Kamdeva with his Third eye in this place when he tried to interrupt Siva's deep meditation. So it is also known as 'Bhasmachal'. 'Bhasma' means ash and 'chal' means
home in assamese.This place a small island, probably one of the smallest among the river islands, situated in
the majestic Brahmaputra river.
In 1694, the Ahom King Gadadhar Singha ordered his minister Gargaya Handique Phukan to build a temple.
The deity of the temple is also called Umananda, Lord Sambhu- ruma- nandakarah. In 1897, a great earth quake damaged the temple
heavily. but later it was repaired by a local merchant. The temple displays mixture of both Hindu Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
There are beautiful assamese crafting of Lord Ganesha, Shiva, Pavati, Vishnu, and other Hindu Gods. During the repairing work of
the temple some new Vaishnavi scripts were written to the walls. Apart from the temple walls sculptures on the rocks of the
Umananda Island presents talents of ancient assamese craftsmen.
Maha Shivaratri is the most celebrated hindu festival celebrated in Umananda. Monday is considered to be the holiest day in
the temple and new moon brings bliss to the pilgrims.
Umananda island is home to few golden langur also. This one of the rarest species of monkeys found in Assam. A visit to Umananda
will give you glimpse of this langur too.
The Umananda island is situated near to Guwahati city. British named this island as peacock island for its shape. Currently
the island is accessible with ferries from the Kachari Ghat. The ride to the temple over boat is a real joy. View from the small hill top
in the island is breath taking.
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Satellite Map of Umananda(Peacock) Island
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Find some more pictures of Assam in this Gallery.
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