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The present Hatimura temple, at Silghat, in Nowgong
district, was probably built on the ruins of an old stone temple in the
Saka year 1667 (1745-46 AD) in the reign of King Pramatta Singh of the
Ahom dynasty. It is a brick temple, which exists in a very dilapidated
condition.
Depiction Of The Deity
The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Mahisamardini. The Goddess
is represented with slender waist, broad breasts, ten hands, and holding
different weapons in each hand. She is seen placing her right foot on the
lion, and pressing the shoulder of the buffalo-demon with her left.
She pierces the trident through the body of the demon, and has fastened
his arm with a noose. To put her weight on the Asura, the goddess is
slightly bent to the left. The lion is also represented attacking the
demon. The whole composition of the Goddess is as given in the text.
Religious Significance
The temple was one of the important centres of 'Saktism' in early
Assam. At one time even human sacrifices were made
at the altars of the temple. A big sword supposed to have been used for
human sacrifices has been deposited in Assam
Provincial Museum, Gawahati.