7 Religious Sites To Be Connected By Waterways In Assam Under 'Riverine-Based Tourism Circuit'
Tourists planning to visit the state of Assam in the Northeast are in for a treat, as they can now visit temples in the state via water!
Historic temples dotting the lifeline of Assam - the River Brahmaputra, are set to be connected as part of a 'Riverine-based tourism Circuit' under the Government's Sagarmala Programme.?
Riverine-based tourism Circuit?
An MoU for a 'Riverine-based tourism Circuit' is being developed over River Brahmaputra. It will be signed between Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL), Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited (ATDC) and Directorate of Inland Water Transport (DIWT) Assam in Guwahati on 19 May 2023.?
The project is being developed under the Sagarmala Programme at an initial cost of Rs.40-45 crores. The temples connected under the project include Kamakhya, Pandunath, Ashwaklanta, Doul Govinda, Umananda, Chakreshwar and Auniati Satra in Guwahati.?
These temples would be accessible via ferry service, expected to reduce the overall travel time to less than 2 hours for completing one circuit.?
Historic temples under the project
The Kamakhya Temple is located at the heart of Nilachala Hill, situated in the western part of Guwahati. Known as the place where the Yoni-Mudra ( the female Genitalia or the Vulva) of Sati fell as Shiva carried around her dead body, it is the centre of Tantrik Shaktism cult in India.?
On the western side of Nilachal is Pandunath temple, where people used to first offer prayers before moving on to Kamakhya. Here, Vishnu is believed to have beheaded Madhu and Kaitabha, two notorious asuras or demons, by placing them on his thigh.?
Assam's Ashwaklanta temple was built around the 9th-12th century during its Ahom rule. As per mythology, Lord Krishna's tired horses rested here, thus giving the place its name.?
The Doul Govinda temple near North Guwahati is dedicated to Lord Govinda or Krishna. Its scenic beauty is an attraction for devotees of all faiths.?
Situated right in the middle of the Brahmaputra River, the Umananda temple is indeed unique. Considered a historic temple, it was built during the reign of the Tai-Ahom dynasty. According to the Kalika Purana, it was believed that Goddess Urvashi, who brought nectar for the pleasure of Kamakhya, resided here. Therefore, the island on which this temple is constructed is also known as Urvashi Island.?
Situated near the Bhutnath area of Guwahati, the Auniati Satra temple derives its name from Lord Vishnu's Chakra (weapon) impression naturally embossed on a large rock.Established in Majuli in 1653 A.D., the shrine is located on the slightly elevated island of Majuli, which was full of Auni Paan (a kind of betel creeper plant).?
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