Dirgheshwari temple

Dirgheswari Mandir
Dirgheswari Mandir
	View of Dirgheswari Mandir
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Kamrup
Deity	Sati
Location
Location	North Guwahati
State	Assam
Country	India
	Shown within Assam Dirgheshwari temple (India) Dirgheshwari temple (Asia)
Geographic coordinates	26°14′33.3″N 91°44′57.8″E / 26.242583°N 91.749389°E
Architecture
Type	Hindu Temple
Creator	Tarun Duarah Borphukan

Dirgheswari Mandir (Assamese pronunciation:

Shakti Peetha

for Shakti Worship. The main attraction of Dirgheswari temple is the annual Durga Puja celebrations, in which devotees from far of places use to attend.

Legends

Since ancient times, Dirgheswari was a prominent place of Worship for the followers of

Sudarshan Chakra, to cut the body of Sati into several parts. The Sudarshan Chakra acted as instructed, and the pieces of Sati’s body were scattered in different parts of the world. While her genitals fell in Nilachal Hill, on which the famous Temple of Kamakhya

is situated, another body part of Sati fell in Sitachal hill. From that time onwards the place is considered sacred by the people.

It is also said that the great sage

Hindu tradition, visited this place and started huge penance of Goddess Durga. At last the Goddess appeared before him and grants him blessings. Thus Dirgheswari became an important place of worship of Goddess Durga

.

History

It is not known if any temple of Goddess

Rajeswar Singha in 1756 CE, the king visited the temple and granted more lands and men for the proper maintenance of the temple. The king also presented a silver Japi or hat, which is still used to cover the main idol of Devi Durga in the temple.^[2]

Dirgheswari Mandir in Present day

After the end of Ahom rule and post colonial era, Dirgheswari Mandir has observed increased number of people attending the annual Durga Puja celebration. The prime attention of Dirgheswari Devalaya’s Durga Puja is the sacrifice of animals, especially Buffaloes.

Every year people from far of places use to visit Dirgheswari Temple to witness the animal sacrifice and Durga Puja celebrations. In order to accommodate the increasing numbers of pilgrims and other people, the temple compound is extended, due to which one portion of brick wall, constructed during the Ahom reign has to be brought down.

There is a small water tank in the near the temple, in which small fishes and a turtle is present.

Rock images

Apart from the temple, there are many images of God and Goddesses engraved in the rocks of the hill. It is not known from which period these images belonged.

Just like any ancient temples or Hindu holy sites, one can find a big image of Lord Ganesha engraved in the rock, at the entrance of the temple. According to Hindu beliefs before performing any religious rites, first prayers should be offered to Lord Ganesha. There are two foot prints engraved in the rocks near the temple, believed to be of Goddess Durga. There is also a stone structure, which the local believes as boat, which is used by Apasaras or nymphs for water sports in a nearby water pond.

Conclusion

Dirgheswari Mandir is recognized by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as an important historical site and accordingly steps are taken to preserves its structure. Local people considered it as the second-most holiest place after Kamakhya Temple. It is believed that even after offering one’s prayer in Kamakhya, it is necessary to visit Dirgheswari Temple, to obtain the full blessing of Devi Durga. Dirgheswari temple can be considered as an important destination for tourists and admirers of historical monuments, in and around Guwahati.

Notes

^ Barbaruah Hiteswar Ahomar-Din or A History of Assam under the Ahoms 1st edition 1981 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati page 242
^ Bhuyan Dr. S.K. Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha first edition 1975 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati page 273

References

Bhuyan Dr. S.K. Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha first edition 1975 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati
Barbaruah Hiteswar Ahomar-Din or A History of Assam under the Ahoms first edition 1981 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati

[1] Barbaruah Hiteswar Ahomar-Din or A History of Assam under the Ahoms 1st edition 1981 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati page 242

[2] Bhuyan Dr. S.K. Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha first edition 1975 Publication Board of Assam Guwahati page 273

[2]