In this article, we will discuss the fascinating world of ancient monuments of Assam, a region rich in history and culture. These architectural marvels are not merely structures but living testimonies to the socio-political and religious transformations of ancient India. Exploring them offers invaluable insights into the ingenuity of Assam’s craftsmanship and its historical significance in shaping the subcontinent’s legacy.
This article is particularly tailored for aspirants of APSC CCE 2024-25, focusing on the GS-5 syllabus. Let’s delve into the intriguing narratives that these monuments encapsulate, unraveling stories of resilience, artistry, and evolution.
Monuments of Assam in Ancient History
The Kamarupa kings built numerous temples dedicated to various deities, according to epigraphs and literature, but none of these early structures remain in their original condition today. Nature and time have played a significant role in their demise. Their construction materials were stone, brick, and clay.
Architecture and fortifications, sculptured designs, icons, and a few paintings are among the remaining remains. A close examination of these relics reveals similarities between Kamarupi art and art from Bihar, Orissa, Bengal, Central and Southern India, Sri Lanka, and even distant places like Java. A beautiful doorframe with Ganga and Yamuna figures can be found in Dah Parvatiya, Darrang district. The work is dated to the fifth century AD and is considered one of the best examples of its kind from the Gupta period.
The Deopani ruins are also strikingly similar to the Gupta and Pala schools. Temples of the shikhara type can be found in the Kamakhya hills, while the ruins at Tezpur have parallels in other parts of northern India. The lower part of the sanctum of the shrine at Kamakhya is designed in the same style as Khajuraho or Central India dados.
One of the shafts of the Tezpur pillars and the beautifully sculpted stone blocks from Akasiganga in Nowgong have designs reminiscent of the Chalukyan style. Stone pieces from Gosaijuri in Nowgong depicting yavanika and other designs are reminiscent of southern Indian and even Sri Lankan art.
KAMAKHYA TEMPLE
One of the Most important shakti Shrine of Assam located at Nilachal Hills in the western part of Guwahati.
STORIES ASSOCIATED ACCORDING TO LEGENDS
When Sati died of anger at her father Daksha’s discourtesy to her husband Shiva, Shiva wandered the World with her dead body on his head.
Vishnu put an end to this unbearable penance by severing the body piecemeal with his Sudarshana Chakra. As a result, it fell to Earth in fifty-one different pieces, and the ground was considered sacred wherever each piece fell.
Sati’s generation organs fell on Kamagiri, i.e. the Nilachal Hill near Guwahati, and the location was subsequently held sacred to Kamakhya, the Goddess of Sexual Desire.
Another legend has it that Narakasura, the ruler of Pragjyotishpur, built an incomplete staircase known as the Mekhelauja Path from the bottom of the Nilachal Hill to the Temple of Kamakhya.
HISTORICAL RECORDS
- Buranjis mentioned that Kalapahar destroyed the temple. Koch King Naranarayan rebuilt the temple in 1565 CE with the assistance of his chief architect, ‘Meghamukdum. The bricks used to build the temple were burned in ghee, according to the ‘Darrang Rajbongsawali.
- The temple’s entrance features Naranarayan and Chilarai statues.
- The temple contains the copper plates of Rajeswar Singha and Gaurinath Singha.
FESTIVAL
- The temple attracts thousands of Tantra devotees each year during the Ambubachi Mela, which takes place from the 7th to the 10th day of the month of Ahar (the third month of the Assamese calendar). During this time, Mother Earth undergoes menstruation in order to reclaim her fertility. Goddess Kamakhya is thought to be going through the same process at the time, as she is a fertility cult center.
- During the Ambubachi Mela, the Temple is closed for three days due to astronomical calculations. Thousands of devotees from all over the world come here during this time of year to seek blessings.
- The Manasha Puja is another annual festival. Durga Puja is also celebrated in Kamakhya every year during Navaratri in the autumn. Thousands of people attend this five-day festival.
BHUBANESWARI TEMPLE
The famous Bhubaneswari Temple is located on the top of Nilachal Hill and was built in honour of Goddess Bhubaneswari, who according to Hindu Mythology is the fourth of the ten Mahavidya goddesses or Shiv Sakthi goddesses in Hinduism and an aspect of Devi as elements of the physical cosmos in giving shape to the creation of the world.
According to legend, the temple was constructed in the 7thor9th century AD. Its stone construction is reminiscent of the Kamakhya temple and provides visitors and devotees with peaceful surroundings.
MADAN KAMDEV DEVALAYA/TEMPLE
Located at Madanchal or Dibangiri region of North Guwahati.
HISTORICAL RECORDS
- It was built by the Pala Kings in around 11th to 12th Century.
- It is also called Khujuraho of Assam
BAMUNI HILLS
Located near the banks of Brahmaputra towards east of Tezpur. Seven prehistoric temples have been discovered here. They have connections to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and other gods. This ruin belongs to the 8th to 9th century.
DA-PARVATIA
Located near Tezpur. The rock-cut Temple of Da Parvatia’s entrance features an intricate depiction of skilled craftsmanship. The door frame is adorned with magnificent images of the Goddesses Jamuna and Ganga. Images of the Garuda bind, flying geese, human figures of men and women, and flower vines are carved into the Lintel.
MAHABHAIRAB TEMPLE
Located on a small hill top in the northern part of Tezpur. The temple is credited to Banaraja. Usha, the daughter of Banaraja, had also prayed here. The Salastambha dynasty’s rulers constructed the current temple sometime between the 5th and 9th centuries CE.
DEOPAHAR SHIVA TEMPLE
“The hill of the God,” or Deopahar, is an archaeological site in Numaligarh Golaghat district, one of the most important ancient heritage sites. It covers an area of 135 hectares and is home to statues, coins, temples, and different kinds of bricks in addition to historical artifacts, monuments, and Shiva temples. The historical remnants of an ancient temple, sculptures, and monuments that were unearthed from the highest point of the Deopahar hillock have made Numaligarh a well known location for its rich archaeological heritage.
With a protected archaeological park and site museum run by the Assam government’s Directorate of Archaeology, it is one of the state’s most visited tourist destinations.
This archaeological site was part of the ancient Assam Kingdom Jarasanda. The Deopahar hill, also called Deoparvat, is located close to the location and is a portion of the Deopani Reserve Forest. There is an old stone temple atop the hill; it appears that the 1897 Assam earthquake either left the temple unfinished or destroyed its construction.
HAYAGRIVA MADHAVA TEMPLE
Located on the Monikut hill near Hajo in the Kamrup district is the Hayagriva Madhava Mandir. It is known that King Raghu deva Narayan built the temple in 1583. According to historians It was built in the 6th century by the King of the Pala dynasty.
The image of Hayagriva Madhav is kept in this stone temple. Beautiful examples of Assamese art can be seen in the rows of elephants that line the temple’s exterior. Adjacent to the temple lies a large body of water called Madhab Pukhuri. The temple celebrates the festivals of Doul, Bihu, and Janmashtami each year.
Furthermore, this temple preaches Buddhism and Hinduism, drawing Buddhist monks from all over the world.
Read: Burmese invasion of Assam
Download App:
