The largest Island Temple in India is Srirangam,Tamil Nadu dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
There is a temple in Peacock island near Gwahati Assam, where a there is a Shiva temple.
Lord Shiva is reported to have strewn the Vibhuthi, Holy Ashes here imparted Wisdom to Parvati and sat in meditation.
Read my Post on Vibuthi, Shaivaite mark and Tiruman, the Vaishavavite mark.
“Siva is said to have resided here in the form of Bhayananda.
According to the Kalika Purana, in the beginning of the creation Siva sprinkled ashes (bhasma) at this place and imparted knowledge to Parvati (his consort).
It is said that, when Siva was in meditation on this hillock,
Kamadeva interrupted his yoga and was therefore burnt to ashes by the fire of Siva’s anger and hence the hillock got the name Bhasmacala.
This mountain is also called Bhasmakuta. The Kalika Purana states that Urvasikunda is situated here and here resides the goddess Urvasi who brings Amrit (nectar) for the enjoyment of Kamakhya and hence the island got the name Urvasi Island.
The presiding deity of the temple is Umananda (Tatrasti bhagavan sambhu- ruma- nandakarah Prabhu). It is believed that, worship here on the Amavasya day when it falls on Monday brings the highest bliss. The Siva Chaturdasi is the most colourful festival that is held here annually. Many devotees come to the temple on this occasion for the worship of the deity.
History of the Temple
The temple of Umananda was built in 1694 A.D. by the Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique by the order of King Gadadhar Singh (1681- 1696), one of the ablest and strongest rulers of the Ahom dynasty. The original temple was however immensely damaged by a devastating earthquake of 1897. Later, it was reconstructed by a rich local merchant who chose to inscribe the interior part of a Siva temple with Vaisnavite slogans.
The Strcuture of the Umanand Temple
The temple has inherited some rock-cut figures, which speak passionately of the masterly skill of the Assamese craftsmen. The sculptures here show that the worshippers there followed all the principal Hindu gods. We find representations of Surya, Ganesha, Shiva and Devi (with a scorpion as emblem) in addition to those of Visnu and his ten incarnations (avatar).
Journey to Umanand Temple in Guwahati
Airport : The nearest airport is at Guwahati. From where you have to take a ferry to the Pea Cock Island to visit the temple.
Railhead : The closest railhead is at Guwahati, From here you have to take a ferry to the Pea Cock Island in the middle of the river Brahmaputra. The railhead at Guwahati is connected to almost all the major cities of India.
Road Transport : Guwahati is linked to all the major cities of Assam and nearby states. One can easily Guwahati by road from any part of the state.
Water Transport : As the temple resides in an Island amidst the Brahmaputra River, one has to take a ferry to reach the temple. The ferries are arranged by the state tourism department for the tourists from all the parts of India and world.
Staying near the Umanand Temple in Guwahati
Guwahati offers several private hotels ranging from luxury to budget-friendly ones. Fish is a major delicacy in Assam and one can savour mouthwatering curries in and around Paltan Bazar at cheap rates. There are excellent accommodation facilities in and around Guwahati in Assam.
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