Kamakhya to get ropeway links from rly station, Sonaram Field
Guwahati: City will soon have two ropeway projects connecting the Kamakhya temple atop Nilachal Hills, chief minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma
announced on Saturday.
During his visit to the temple — two days after the conclusion of the Ambubachi Mahayog — Sarma said one ropeway will originate from Kamakhya railway station, while the other will connect Sonaram Field to the temple.
"Work on both ropeways is underway, and construction will start soon as tenders have already been floated. The ropeway from Kamakhya railway station is expected to be completed first, followed by the Sonaram Field route," Sarma said.
"The process took some time, as we had to acquire land from the temple authorities. But things are now moving fast, and the project should be completed soon," added Sarma.
The CM also revealed that feasibility studies are being conducted for several other ropeway projects in the state, including routes at Barak's Bhuban Tirtha and Umataloni in Biswanath.
Construction work on these has already started.
Offering prayers at the temple on Saturday, Sarma said, "Ambubachi ended two days ago, but I couldn't visit earlier due to the heavy footfall of devotees. I feel fortunate to have received Maa Kamakhya's darshan today."
He thanked the temple management committee and the tourism department for successfully organising the Ambubachi Mahayog. "I thank the temple authorities, the tourism department, minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass, and others involved in the event," he added.
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Beyond Kamakhya: Dirgheshwari temple and the shaktism of Assam
Not as well-known as the Kamakhya, the Dirgheshwari Devalaya is an important part of the Shakti worship narrative of this culturally rich region — a fine blend of mythology, Tantric worship, Ahom history and living traditions read more The latter part of June is always an exciting time to be in Assam, especially to be in Guwahati and even more so if one happens to visit the iconic Kamakhya shrine. It is the time for the annual festival of Ambubachi, a festival that celebrates the menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya. The place is teeming with people after the festival and once a visitor has had his darshan, he would be well advised to head north. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Across the Brahmaputra, in Kamrup district, are several ancient temples of great interest to explorers and history buffs. Temples like the Dirgheshwari. Standing atop the Braghyachal Hill, the temple shares many similarities with the Kamakhya. Dated to ancient times, the current structure was constructed under the patronage of the Ahom ruler Siva Singha, who reigned in the first half of the 18th century CE. Gateway to the Dirgheshwari Temple complex The location on a rocky hill, amid natural vegetation and the river not far away, reminds one of what the Kamakhya may once have been before the area changed character and became urbanized. The word 'Dirgheshwari' translates into 'the eternal' or 'long-lived' Goddess and symbolizes an ever-present form of Shakti. Like the Kamakhya, this temple too was sacred for Tantric practices. According to folklore, the Dirgheshwari Temple is a Shakti Peetha. It is believed that when Satri's body was dismembered, parts fell in different places across the Indian subcontinent. It is believed that while her womb fell on the spot where the Kamakhya Temple was built, another part – of lesser importance – fell on the Braghyachal Hill. The Dirgheshwari, thus, is a Upa Peetha, meaning subordinate. A visitor enters the complex via a recently built gateway flanked by two stone tigers (as shown in the lead picture). A long flight of steps leads up to the shrine. Another gateway comes up, painted a bright pink, with two gold-painted icons embedded in its walls. The colours of the brick temple inside are similarly bright, but a step into the inner sanctum reveals a very different picture. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Into the inner sanctum of the Dirgheshwari Temple complex The sanctum of the Dirgheshwari Temple is a subdued place compared to the colourful exterior. The main idol, of Durga, is considered a Svayambhu or self-manifested. Like many other Shakti shrines, this sanctum is part of a natural rock formation. The interior is rather dark, almost cave-like. Embellishment is by way of red cloth and flowers, but the overall effect is of minimalism. Within the temple compound are several scattered idols which appear ancient, perhaps part of the original temple that once stood here. The priests here follow Shakta traditions of worship, blending Vedic and Tantric rituals. In line with such traditions, animal sacrifice is still prevalent – another aspect that links it to the Kamakhya. And similarly, this temple too marks the Ambubachi Mela, albeit on a much smaller scale than the fair at the Kamakhya. Crowds are also seen on Sankranti and Amavasya here. Locals, especially women, visit the temple seeking blessings for fertility, health and protection. Their offerings comprise vermilion, bangles, and coconuts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Braghyachal Hill is home to more than just one temple, however significant. The first thing that strikes a visitor when he begins walking up are the many icons carved on the hill rocks. Numerous in count and spread across the hill in a rather unplanned manner, these carved icons date back to the 11th century, and many have become shrines in their own right. There are multiple depictions of Ganesha, including one of immense size that has been coloured orange with layers of vermilion. A Hanuman carving, of almost the same proportions, is close by. A Ganesha icon on the Braghyachal Hill that has become a shrine Amidst the numerous divine forms carved here is a Ganesha with another celestial being next to it. A Shiva linga is carved into the ground, and the faithful have placed multiple tridents in proximity. Near at hand is a plain area of rock with a few holes in it. Local lore holds that this spot marked the place where Shiva's consort Parvati used to weave. As a result, local women offer threads at this spot to get Parvati's blessings for becoming experts in weaving themselves. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A carved Ganesha icon on the Braghyachal Hill Far from the crowds that throng the Kamakhya through the year, amidst the forests, the Dirgheshwari is a study in solitude and devotion. It is in this rural setting that one can appreciate the Ambubachi Mela better. 'Ambubachi' refers to being 'spoken with water'. Rain is expected to follow the festival to make the earth fertile and ready for procreation. During the four-day period of this festival, daily worship is forbidden, as are agricultural activities. On the fourth day, with Ambubachi concluded, household items and clothes are washed and purified with sacred waters. Entry to the shrine is now considered auspicious. And agricultural tasks follow, indicating the deeply intertwined relationship between rural occupations, religion and social practices. The core ethos of this festival is perhaps easier to comprehend in the rural landscape of a Dirgheshwari than in an urban setting. Not as well-known as the Kamakhya, the Dirgheshwari Devalaya is an important part of the Shakti worship narrative of this culturally rich region. A fine blend of mythology, Tantric worship, Ahom history and living traditions, it is a place that invites both pilgrims and explorers. Nor is Braghyachal Hill an isolated spot. In its vicinity are other sacred shrines such as the Aswakranta, Kurmajanardan, Manikarneshwar and Rudreshwar devalayas, apart from the vast complex that houses the now-ruined Madan Kamdev. Next time you visit Guwahati, venture north of the Brahmaputra to see undiscovered Assam. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The author is a heritage explorer with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Kamakhya to get ropeway links from rly station, Sonaram Field
Guwahati: City will soon have two ropeway projects connecting the Kamakhya temple atop Nilachal Hills, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday. During his visit to the temple — two days after the conclusion of the Ambubachi Mahayog — Sarma said one ropeway will originate from Kamakhya railway station, while the other will connect Sonaram Field to the temple. "Work on both ropeways is underway, and construction will start soon as tenders have already been floated. The ropeway from Kamakhya railway station is expected to be completed first, followed by the Sonaram Field route," Sarma said. "The process took some time, as we had to acquire land from the temple authorities. But things are now moving fast, and the project should be completed soon," added Sarma. The CM also revealed that feasibility studies are being conducted for several other ropeway projects in the state, including routes at Barak's Bhuban Tirtha and Umataloni in Biswanath. Construction work on these has already started. Offering prayers at the temple on Saturday, Sarma said, "Ambubachi ended two days ago, but I couldn't visit earlier due to the heavy footfall of devotees. I feel fortunate to have received Maa Kamakhya's darshan today." He thanked the temple management committee and the tourism department for successfully organising the Ambubachi Mahayog. "I thank the temple authorities, the tourism department, minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass, and others involved in the event," he added.
India Gazette
a day ago
- India Gazette
Assam CM Sarma announces construction of two ropeways to Kamakhya Temple
Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 28 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on his visit to the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati on Saturday shared the development project aimed towards making the trip to the temple more accessible and time-efficient He said, 'A ropeway will be constructed from Kamakhya station to Kamakhya temple and another ropeway will be constructed from Sonaram field to Kamakhya temple. Work on both ropeways is going on. The process of floating a tender has already been done. A feasibility study for many other ropeways is going on.' The construction of both ropeways to Kamakhya Temple holds significance as it will provide a great alternative and potentially faster mode of transportation for devotees and tourists visiting the temple, thereby reducing travel time. Better accessibility will also enhance tourism, thereby boosting the state's economy. CM Biswa offered his prayer at Kamakhya Temple two days after the Ambuachi festival ended. 'Ambubachi Festival ended two days ago, but I could not come here earlier due to the large number of devotees here. I received the opportunity to have the darshan of Maa Kamakhya today', he added. He visited the temple with his family to offer prayers and wished for the well-being of the people of Assam. He thanked the Temple management committee and Tourism Department and added, 'I thank the Temple Management Committee, Tourism Department, Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass and others for organising the Ambubachi Festival.' The annual Ambubachi Mela, one of Assam's most revered Hindu festivals, commenced on June 22 at the historic Kamakhya Temple, located atop the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati, and concluded on June 26. The annual event commemorates the yearly menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya, believed to be the embodiment of feminine power. After conducting Ambubachi Prabritti rituals, the main door of the Kamakhya temple closed on June 22 and reopened on June 26. The event draws devotees from across India and abroad. Several other pujas are organised in this temple, including Durga Puja, Durgadeul and Madandeul. Some of the other pujas performed in this temple include Manasa Puja, Pohan Biya and Vasanti Puja. It is one of the most revered centres of Tantric practices and is regarded as one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. (ANI)
