Dirgheswari Temple is one of the most important temples of Guwahati, Assam, located on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River.
Who built Dirgheswari Temple Guwahati?
Dirgheswari temple, built by Ahom monarch Swargadeo Siva Singha, is a Shakti Peetha for Shakti worship.
Along with the temple, there were many antique images carved on rocks.
The main draw of Dirgheswari temple is the yearly Durga Puja celebrations, which attract worshippers from all over the world.
Dirgheswari Temple Guwahati legend
Dirgheswari has been a popular destination of worship for Assamese Shakti devotees from ancient times.
It is stated that after Lord Shiva’s first wife, Sati, died, he carried her dead body around the world in his grief.
So, Lord Vishnu and the other Gods resolved to dispose of Sati’s body, which had become a source of grief for Mahadeva.
Lord Vishnu directed his disc, Sudarshan Chakra, to cut Sati’s body into numerous pieces.
The Sudarshan Chakra did as it was told, and fragments of Sati’s body were distributed over the world.
As per the local tradition, Goddess Sati’s thigh fell here. Inside the temple, there is a cave which houses that body-part as a piece of rock
People have considered the location sacred since that time.
The second legend tells another intriguing story. Goddess Durga arrived here riding a tiger before Sage Markandeya, according to legend.
It’s worth noting that, while Goddess Durga is usually shown riding a lion (particularly in the eastern parts of India), Her Vahana is a tiger in this myth.
Where is the temple located?
Dirgheshwari temple is located on a tiny hill named Sitachal in north Guwahati. It is located on the north bank of the Bramhaputra River.
So this shrine, located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra and connected by a motorable road, is regarded as one of the state’s greatest Devi Tirthas.
It is isolated and located at the foot of a range of hills. It contains various rock-cut pictures dating from the 11th to 12th centuries A.D.
This is one of the few temples where buffalo sacrifices are performed every year during Durga Puja. Natuancha Hill is located to the north of North Guwahati. Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvoti, and other gods lived here. This was an alternative to Kailash Dham, the Lord Shiva’s residence.
History of Dirgheshwari temple
There was most likely an earlier temple here upon which the current temple was built by Ahom monarch Swargadeo Shiv Singha, who reigned between 1714 and 1744 AD.
Tarun Duwarah Barphukan, the Viceroy of the Ahom kingdom’s Guwahati and Lower Assam area, oversaw the temple’s construction.
Later, Ahom ruler Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha bestowed upon the temple land, money, and many other gifts, including a silver head-gear (called “Japi” in local language) that is still used to cover the Durga statue in the temple.
You may also like: Garjiya Devi Temple – Ramnagar – Nanital – Shakti peeth
