Mahamaya Temple in Assam has emerged as a revered spot for pilgrims every year. The temple is near the Dhubri town of Assam and poses as the second most important temple in the region, coming second to Temple Kamakaya. Devi Mahamaya, or Goddess Mahayama, is the Hindu deity of illusion, and worshipping her is known to cure many ailments in LIfe. In addition, as Assam is filled with pilgrimage sites of all religions, the area near the temple remains crowded throughout the year. Thus, keep reading our blog to know more about the origin and present-day importance of Mahmaya Temple in Assam.
An Overview Of Mahamaya Temple
Image Credit: Wahabdr for Wikipedia Commons
Mahamaya Temple is a Shakti Peeth located in Assam. Shakti Peethas are normally places of extreme power, as per Hindu tradition, and they bear a mythological significance as well. The temple is dedicated to Devi Mahamaya, who controls the illusions of the world. In addition, the deity is worshipped with pomp and is shown during Durga Puja and other festivals.
During these festivals, the deity is showered with animal sacrifice as a part of a 400-year-old tradition. The priests and the pilgrims believe it to be an integral part of pleasing the goddess. The animals used include buffaloes, goats and birds. The temple also has another extension about 2 kilometres away, known as the Snaanghat Temple, which serves the purpose of being the centre of Shakti Yagya, an ancient tradition practised to date by the temple priests.
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History Of Mahamaya Temple
Mahamaya Temple is one of the most important Shakti Peethas out of the 51 such places. According to Hindu mythology, Shakti Peethas are the areas where the body parts of Goddess Sati, the wife of the Hindu God Shiva, were scattered upon her death. These places are enormously powerful and transformative, as the pilgrims claim. This place in Assam is always filled with tourists seeking blessings for the mother goddess. However, it was not always like that. The temple and the deity were initially worshipped by the local people of the Parvatjowar area, including the Natha, Kacharis, and Koches. These people had their traditions, and the goddess was worshipped along with the rules set in the community. Even the zamindar of Parvatjowar, the area’s landowner, bowed in front of the deity as the local guardian. It was much later than that that the goddess received widespread acceptance, and people came in to worship her.
Hence, the little tradition consisting of local traditions and rituals was transformed into a great tradition, which means that the deity gained prominence across the significant communities of the region. Moreover, during festivities like Durga Puja, the deity is adorned in garlands and other offerings and worshipped with grand celebration. In the month of Bahag, a Shakti yagya is performed, which is an annual event to commemorate the universal driving force of the universe, the Shakti. A few kilometres from the temple is the Snaanghat Temple, situated on the banks of the Tipkai River, a tributary of Brahmaputra. This temple was built in 1993 to allow better pilgrimage. It is believed that the goddess used to take a bath at this place. Hence, the name Snaanghat, which means the bathing place on the banks of the river, came into usage.
Architecture of Mahamaya Temple
The Mahamaya Temple is a Hindu temple in the Assamese region, which means that the temple has some key divisions in the making. Firstly, the deity is situated in the Garbagriha or the sanctum sanctorum, which is the farthest place from the gates of the temple. This place only houses the deity and is considered to bear the most spiritual reverence. Next comes the mandapa, which is the preceding halls of the temple that the devotees pass through to come closer to the garbagriha. These mandapas were divided into various segments as per the ancient rituals, and sometimes, there was a mandapa dedicated to dance, theatrics, and other performing arts. In addition, the last part of the shikhara, or the tower-like structure of the temple, is mostly seen in the Nagara, Beshara, or Pahari style of temple architecture. At the same time, it remains absent in the southern Indian temples or the Dravida style. This temple does have a shikhara, making it a probable architectural style of either of the three styles, excluding the Southern Indian influence.
Assam’s regional style of architecture must have influenced the temple formation as well. Over the years, renovations would have made certain elements more prominent, which archaeologists can only determine through thorough analysis. Further, the temple also has an extension in the form of the Snaanghat Temple, located on the banks of one of the tributaries of Brahmaputra. This temple, considered the goddess’ bathing place, is built with beautiful carvings and architecture. It also houses fourteen other temples dedicated to different gods and goddesses. An annual Shakti Yagya is also performed here at the beginning of the year.
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How To Reach Mahamaya Temple?
Image Credit: Suraj Kumar Das for Wikimedia Commons
Here are a few ways to reach Mahamaya Temple in Assam:
By Air
People can board aeroplanes and land in Guwahati, after which they can either book a taxi or make use of a public vehicle to get to Mahamaya Temple. The nearest town to the temple is Kokrajhar, which is about four and a half hours away from Guwahati airport by road.
By Rail
The Mahamaya Temple is in Kokrajhar town, which is three and a half hours away from the Guwahati Railway Station. So, people can hop on a train to the station and then use local transportation to get to the temple.
By Road
Once in Guwahati or at least in Assam, people who are fond of road travel can drive to the Mahamaya Temple. They can also make use of buses that usually travel all throughout the day, or book a taxi. There are locally run automobiles available as well.
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Mahamaya Temple remains a sacred site for huge pilgrimages and even greater devotion. The site has a tremendously rich history and mysterious power to change the lives of the devotees for good. After worshipping, people can also look around the scenic landscape of rivers and hilly terrains. Hence, if you want to pray to the Mother Goddess with all your heart and bask in spiritual bliss, book a trip to Assam now! Land at the Guwahati Airport and rush over to the Mahamaya Temple with your family and friends.
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Cover Image Credit : Deven2105 for Wikipedia
Frequently Asked Questions About Mahamaya Temple
Why is Mahamaya Temple famous?
The Mahamaya Temple in Assam is famous for being one of the most sacred places of worship for Hindus. This temple is regarded as second to only the Kamakhya Temple and is also well-known for its unique architecture.
Is the Mahamaya Temple a Shakti Peetha?
Yes, the Mahamaya Temple is a Shakti Peetha in Assam. Shakti Peethas are sacred spots of divine energy in Hindu mythology, and Mahaymaya Temple or Dham happens to be one of the most prominent ones.
What is the Snaanghat Temple?
According to popular tales and folklore, the Snaanghat Temple used to be the bathing place of Goddess Mahamaya. With the prevalence of this ancient tale, the place now has become a popular site located near the main Mahamaya Temple.
Which river is Snaanghat Temple located near?
The Snaangaht Temple near Mahamaya Temple is located on the banks of the gorgeous Tipkai River, which is also a tributary of the gigantic Brahmaputra River. It is believed in local folklore that this place used to be the bathing area of Goddess Mahamaya.
What is the architectural style of Mahamaya Temple?
The architectural style of Mahamaya Temple is Nagara, which was prevalent in Northern India in ancient times. With this style, the temple bears three important features: the mandapas, shikhara and the garbagriha.
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