5 Pilgrimage Sites to Visit in Assam and a Guide to Getting There
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Visiting a pilgrimage site can be cathartic. It can usher in calm and tranquillity. Perhaps one of the best attractions in India that is also deeply rooted in spirituality is Assam. The land of Assam is replenished by the bounty of nature, with towering hills and green plantations. Visiting pilgrimage sites in Assam hence is a surreal experience. Here are some places you must make sure to see on your trip to the tea state of India.
So many websites on Assam, but where do I go?
1. Kamakhya Temple
The Kamakhya Temple embodies the traditions of tantric Shaktism as well as Puranic Hinduism. The Kamakhya Temple is a Shakti Peeth because, according to legend, the genitalia of Goddess Sati fell here after her immolation. Mentions of the temple have been found in the Pillar Inscriptions of Gupta ruler Samudragupta.
While dated to around the 8th century CE, the temple had to be rebuilt in the 16th century after its destruction by foreign invaders. The temple worships Sati in the form of the yoni. Every year, thousands of eager devotees throng Kamakhya Temple during June to celebrate the Ambubashi Mela. The temple allows visitors to take in the view of the majestic Brahmaputra as well as glimpse the landscape of Guwahati.
2. Nabagraha Temple
Believed to be an ancient centre that specialised in the study of astrology and astronomy, the Nabagraha Temple temple is located on the Chitrachal hill in the eastern part of Guwahati. Nabagraha represents nine celestial bodies, each denoted in the temple by an emblem of Shiva’s phallus.
The Nabagraha Temple, built-in 1752 CE by Rajesvar Singha, reeled under the destruction unleashed by an earthquake. While the garbhagriha, or the inner sanctum sanctorum, survived the disaster, parts of the temple, including the entire upper portion, were later rebuilt. The Silpukhuri Tank, also constructed by Rajesvar Singha, is located near the temple.
3. Basistha Ashram
The Basistha Ashram coalesces religion and recreation. Named after the ancient sage Basistha who is said to have resided here, the
Basistha Ashram is located at the southern end of Guwahati city. The Ashram, however, is in proximity to the city centre and only 12 km away from the Guwahati railway station. The Ashram is famous for its massive religious significance. Three rivulets- the Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta, meet at the Basistha Ashram, adding to the majesty of the location.
4. Asvakranta Temple
The Asvakranta Temple is one of Assam’s tourist attractions that sings of the land’s rich Vaishnavite legacy. Perhaps among the biggest of its kind in Assam, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The story of the temple’s origin is surrounded by myth and legend.
While some believe that Lord Krishna camped at the temple site before defeating Narakasura, many others often talk about the legend of Lord Krishna and Rukmini’s elopement.
The Ashtavakra temple gets its name from the Hindi word ‘Ashta‘ or horse. Visit the temple between November and May with pleasant temperatures and blooming orchids welcoming you!
5. Satra
These are regional centres managed and maintained by the followers of the Ekasarana tradition of Vaishnavism. Each centre operates independently under the purview of an ‘adhikara ‘. Namghars, managed by Satras, are places where people can be persuaded to join the Ekasarana tradition. The structure of the Satra is enclosed by four doors called Karapat.
The Manikut, a jewel house, is situated close to Satra towards the east. Devotees worship the Bhagavata Purana at Satras. These provide accommodation to monks as well as those visitors who are interested in observing the Ekasarana tradition. Constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries by Koch and Ahom rulers, these Satras are located in Kamalabari, Garamur, Samaguri, and Auniati.
So much to see, but how do I get to Assam?
Now that you have a tempting glimpse into the pilgrimage centres and tourist attractions of Assam, you must decide how you want to get to the Land of Tea. Pick a model of commute that is cost-effective as well as convenient. But where should you find the best deals?
Don’t worry, Cleartrip is here to help you out. On our website, you can be sure to find unbelievable discounts and generous offers. However, before hopping on to the Cleartrip website, here are the different ways you can get to Assam.
1. Going to Assam by flight
Assam has several airports that connect it to the rest of the country. Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport can be reached through Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore through short and convenient flights.
The Dibrugarh Airport also provides a seamless travelling experience to passengers. Various well-known domestic airline carriers cater to both these airports. Smaller airports in Assam also connect the state to other major cities in the country.
Do check out the discounts on flight tickets to Assam here!
2. Getting to Assam by road
Assam is connected to the rest of the country by several major national highways. Roads are well maintained and in optimum travel condition. Hence, a road trip to Assam is among the best ways to experience the state’s natural beauty. Many governments and private bus services also make getting to Assam easy.
These connect Assam to various Indian cities as well as less prominent regions in Assam itself. However, avoid the roads during the monsoon season because Assam is vulnerable to flooding and landslides.
3. Getting to Assam by train
The 259 railway stations in Assam connect Assamese cities, including Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Nagaon and Silchar, to various Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Cochin. The most frequented railway station is the Guwahati Railway Station. Passengers travel on two of the fastest trains to Assam- the Rajdhani Express from Delhi and the Saraighat Express from Howrah.
Dos and Don’ts: Hotel edition
Finding the right hotel can make or break your vacation experience. A hotel that costs too much or has poor living spaces is not merely unpleasant, but it can also ruin your mood for the rest of the trip.
Finding the right hotel hence is the key. If discounts and costs are your main concern, head to Cleartrip for the best hotel bookings experience. Until then, here are some tips you must keep in mind.
1. Bhaiya Kahan Hai Hotel?
Picking the hotel with the most optimum location enhances your tourist experience. A hotel situated at a great distance from the tourist attractions you would like to see will result in you spending most of your time and money on travel. Hence, finding a hotel with a prime location is key.
2. Why should you read reviews?
You find a hotel online that looks like it’s Disneyland. You rush to it with excitement but end up staying in a motel that doesn’t even provide you with clean beds. You have just been conned!
It is easy to plagiarise content from the internet and call it your own. This also applies to photos. Hence, reading reviews is essential because they give you an apt picture of the hotel you will stay in.
3. Book on-time
Assam is among the most widely visited tourist spots in India. To explore its natural beauty and rich heritage, people throng the state throughout the year to explore its natural beauty and rich heritage. Hence, it is always better to pre-book your hotel. If you don’t, you might have to pay surge fares or even comprise the quality of the hotel you choose to stay in.
Now that you have a comprehensive guide to the best pilgrimage spots in Assam, what are you waiting for? Head over to Cleartrip and book your tickets today!
Frequently asked questions
The Kamakhya Temple situated in Guwahati is perhaps Assam’s most popular pilgrimage site.
Located in the Brahmaputra river, the only way to reach this temple is by ferry.
The temple is open between 5.30 am and 1.00 pm and between 12.30 pm and 5.30 pm.
Interestingly, men are not allowed inside the Kamakhya temple on some days of the year because it is believed that the Goddess menstruates during this time.
Visitors to Assam can pick from a wide selection of hotels. Find the hotel that fits your taste best on Cleartrip today!
