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The temple of Umananda is situated on the "Peacock
Island" (so named by some poetic British Administrator) in the midst
of the river Brahmaputra
off the office of the Deputy Commissioner of the Kamarupa district at
Guwahati.
The Legend
Another name of the mountain on which the temple has been built is "Bhasmacala".
Shiva is said to have dwelt here in the form of Bhayananda. According to
the Kalika Purana, at the beginning of creation Shiva sprinkled here ashes
('Bhasma') and imparted knowledge to Parvati. The Puranic tradition is
that when Shiva was in mediation on this hillock Kamadeva interrupted his
yoga and was therefore burnt to ashes by the fire of Shiva's anger and
hence the hillock got the name Bhasmacala.
Bhasmacala is also called "Bhasmakuta". The Kalika Purana
states that 'Urvasikunda' is situated here and here dwells the goddess
Urvasi who brings nectar for the enjoyment of Kamakhya and hence the
island got the name Urvasi Island. Country boats that are available at
this place take the visitors to the island.
The Festivity & Rituals
The presiding deity of the temple is Umananda. Worship here on the
Amavasya day when it falls on Monday brings the highest bliss. The Shiva
Chaturdasi is the most colourful festival that is held here every year.
Many devotees gather at the temple on this occasion for the worship of the
deity.
The small temple of Umananda was built in 1694 AD by the Bar Phukan
Garhganya Handique by the order of King Gadadhar Singh (1681- 1696), one
of the strongest and best rulers of the Ahom dynasty. The original temple
was however badly damaged by the great earthquake of 1897. Later, it was
repaired and reconstructed by a rich local merchant who chose to inscribe
the inner part of a Shiva temple with Vaisnavite slogans.
The Rock-Cut Figurines
The temple has bequeathed some rock-cut figures, which speak eloquently
of the masterly skill of the Assamese craftsmen. The sculptures also show
that the worshippers there followed all the principal Hindu gods, as one
finds representations there of Surya, Ganesha, Shiva and Devi (with a
scorpion as emblem) in addition to those of Vishnu and his ten
incarnations. The temple derives its income from the lands settled in the
temple by the kings. The lands are placed in charge of the managers of the
temple called "Dalais".