Dirgheswari Temple, Guwahati

Good morning.

Dirgheswari Temple is a temple situated in the northern banks of the river Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Assam.

Built by Ahom king Swargadeo Siva Singha, Dirgheswari temple is considered as a Shakti Peethas for Shakti Worship. Many ancient images made on rocks existed along with the temple. The main attraction of Dirgheswari temple is the annual Durga Puja celebrations, in which devotees from far of places use to attend.

Since ancient times, Dirgheswari was a prominent place of Worship for the followers of Shakti cult of Assam. It is said that when Sati, the first wife of Lord Shiva died, Lord Shiva, in his grief was carrying her dead body around the world. In order to pacify Shiva, Lord Vishnuand other Gods decided to get rid of the body of Sati, which had become a source of sorrow for Mahadeva. Lord Vishnu instructed his disc, 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.

Located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra and linked by a motorable road, this shrine is considered as one of the supreme Devi Tirthas of the state. Isolated and lying at the foot of a range of hills, it has several rock-cut images which can be traced to the 11th to 12th century A.D. This is one of the few temples where buffalo sacrifice is done annually during Durga Puja. On the north of North Guwahati there is a hill named Natuancha. Here Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvoti and other gods resided. This was alternative of Kailash dham, the abode of the Lord Shiva. Here Beula, the traditional chaste got her husband's life back by gaining a boon from Lord Shiva after pleasing him with her charming dance and music. The Dirgheswari Dewalaya in the Dirgheswari hill or 'Sita parbati' exist beside this. The great hermit Markanda had his hermitage here. Lord Shiva also happened to carry on his shoulders his wife's dead body (Sati) over this site hills when one of Sati's limb fell here the Dirgheswari temple was built.