Author: moikikorim

Routa Satra or Rowta Satra is located in Routa area of Udalguri. It is a Vaishnavite institution. The rectangular prayer-hall known as the Namghar depicts the Dashavatara (ten incarnations) of Lord Vishnu and stories related to Lord Krishna in relief.

Madhab Gohain Shiva Temple is located close to the Madhab Gohain ME School in Mazbat block of Udalguri district. Maheswar Neog in his book “Pabitra Assam” writes that the ancient structure of the temple collapsed in the 1897 earthquake. The temple has a Shivalinga which is worshiped by the locals. An annual mela is held in Shiva Chaturdashi. A few architectural members including pieces of door jambs are seen in the temple premise.

Mahamuni Devalaya is located in Mahaliapara area of Mazbat in Udalguri. It is believed to be established in the year 1569 CE. This Garbhagriha of the temple has a unique structure, possibly influenced by the Buddhist tradition. Apart from regular worship and visit of a large number of devotees, the Buddha Purnima is celebrated in a large manner every year.

Dewalkhanda Shiva Temple is located some 3 km east of Mazbat in Udalguri. The temple houses some fine pieces of architectural members such as door jamb with keertimukha, pillar base, lintels, dressed stones, Nagashakha, Shivalinga and Yonipeetha. The present day temple is of elongated pyramidal shape. Pradip Sarma, in his book “Holy Shrines of Assam” opines that these ruins are of 12th century CE.

Dhanshrighat Anchalik Shiva Mandir is located on the bank of the river Dhanshri, close to the Dhanshri bridge in Balisiha Jangal in Udalguri. This is an important place for worship for the locals.

This site is known as Atrimunir Ashram, located in Suklai, Atherikhat of Udalguri district, BTC, Assam. The ashram (hermitage) is named after the Sage Atri, son of Lord Brahma. Atri is one of the Saptarishis or seven great Vedic sages. The Ashram is surrounded by tea garden which enhances the beauty of the Ashram. This is a holy place where Yagya is performed in the Yagya Kunda located in the dry pond in the ashram every year.

Jorapukhuri is an archaeological site in Hatigarh area of Udalguri District. This site has a good number of stone architectural members and dressed stones carved with geometric and floral designs. These include door jambs with depiction of divine deities, pillars, angasikhara etc. belonging to 10th – 12th centuries CE. The word Jorapukhuri is derived from the Assamese words, ‘jora’ and ‘pukhuri’, meaning two tanks in the area. The site is protected by the Directorate of Archaeology, Govt. of Assam.

Mukteshwari Devalaya is located in Adala village in Ambagaon of Udalguri district. The temple is associated with the legend of Sati Behula or Beula. The region is believed to be the capital of the Shahe Raja, the father of Beula and the birthplace of Beula. Beula’s husband Lakhinder was the son of Chand Sadagar who was a businessman. It is also believed that Chand Sadagar tied his boat in an upland near the Kalindi river. Beula was cursed at this temple to be a widow; however, Beula could bring her dead husband back to life with her devotion to Ma Manasa, the goddess of snakes.

Presently there are three temples, namely Manasha, Shiva and Vishnu at the premise of the Mukteshwari Devalaya. Several sacrificial swords are found at the temple. A major attraction is the old banyan tree at the temple.