Umananda Temple

Umananda Temple is in the Kamrup Metropolitan district of Assam in India. It is situated on the Peacock island, also referred to as Urvashi Island, in the middle of the Brahmaputra in Guwahati. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, though engravings done on the walls include Hindu gods like Surya, Shiva, Ganesha and Devi. Apart from these, sculptures of Lord Vishnu and his ten incarnations can also be found in the vicinity of this temple.

It was constructed in 1694 AD by Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique on the instructions from King Gadadhar Singh of the Tai-Ahom dynasty.

It is said that Arjun of the Mahabharata watered his horse here while undertaking journey during Ashwamedh Yagya.

The hillock where this temple is situated is known as Bhasmachala, which derives its name from a legend which tells that it was the hillock where Lord Shiva was meditating, when he was interrupted by Kamadeva. As a result of this interruption, Kamadeva was burnt to ashes by the fire of his anger.

According to the Kalika Purana, 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.

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