Dirgheswari Temple
This very famous and supreme Devi Tirth is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Dirgheshwari
Temple is situated on the Dirgheshwari hills at the northern banks of the holy
river ‘Brahmaputra’.
It
is very divine and beatific temple which is an important pilgrimage for the
entire state of Assam. In the 11th Century, the temple was
intrinsically built by the Ahom King- Pramata Singha under the supervision of
Tarun Duwarah Barphukan. It has numerous rock-cut engraved and sculpted images
of gods and goddess inside the temple premises. A temple of ‘Ganesha’ was also
positioned along with a beautiful picnic spot just beside the River and a small
water tank in which small fishes and a turtle is present.
Significance:
Devotees
visit this temple to seek fulfilment of the following:-
-Marriages
-Get
married to a person of a girl’s choice
-Health
and longevity of husband
How
to Reach:
Dirgheswari
temple is connected to all the popular and important places in Guwahati both
through roadways and waterways. Visitors can also reach the temple by buses,
autos, trekkers, private vehicles and taxis. Motorboat services are also
available from the southern bank of Brahmaputra. Gopinath Bordoloi
International Airport is the nearest airport and the nearest Railway station is
Kamakhya station.
History
Markanda, who was one of the greatest hermits
had his hermitage on Dirgheswari hill which is also known as’ Sita Parbati’ Hill. According to Hindu
mythology, when goddess Sati-who was the first consort of Lord Shiva immolated
herself in the ‘yagna of her father- Dakshna. Lord shiva in a great anguish,
humped up Sati’s burnt body and performed a ‘Tandava’ (Dance of destruction) out
of torment. After watching his dance in grief, gods and goddesses requested
Lord Vishnu to stop Shiva. Thereafter, Lord Vishnu immediately cut Sati’s Body
into pieces with his ‘Chakra’ and one of her limbs fell into the hill and hence
the Dirgheswari temple was built on that exact spot. .Therefore Legends say
that this shrine has a deep connection with Goddess Sati and hence it is
dedicated to her.
