Dirgheshwari Mata Temple- Famous Upshaktipeeth near Guwahati

Table of Contents

Location:

Gupta Kamakhya has been the main place of worship for the Sakteyas of Assam since ancient times. Dirgheshwari Mata Temple is situated on a hill north of Guwahati. This Upshaktipeeth is about 20 km from the north direction of the district headquarters. At a distance from Rang Mahal, North Gauhati is situated on the Sitanchal mountain. One has to climb 172 steps to reach the hilltop temple. The stairs are low. The atmosphere is peaceful with trees around. A nice place for those who have time to spend some time. While climbing the hill, next to the Dova, one can see Ganesha, Durga, and other idols carved on the rocks of the hill.

Legend:

This is called Gupta Kamakhya. Kamakhya Devi on Nilachal in Guwahati called Vykta Kamakhya. Moreover, Dirgheshwari Mata Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Mata’s right thigh said to have fallen here.

This is a famous Dirgheshwari Mata Temple not only in Assam but also in India. Dvidheshwari Mata is a very glorious mother. According to the Jogini Tantra, Durgeshwari is the fruit of all desires. Sage Markandeya did penance here. Appreciated by Maharishi’s penance, Goddess Durga appeared and blessed him to be immortal in all ages. Sage Markandeya wrote Markandeya Purana here. The trees in front of the temple are called Bajranali trees. Their oil is said to be useful in cooking and in the preparation of medicines.

It was renovated by King Shiv Singh ji. This temple is atop a mountain on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. Ten feet below the mountain there is a dark cave where the Shaktipeeth established. Its description found in detail in the Markandeya Purana.

This Dwidheshwari Mata also known as Gupta Kamakhya Devi. Mother’s knees had fallen at this place. With the mere sight of the divine form of the mother inside the temple, the life of a man becomes godlike for sixty thousand years. Such evidence found in the Veda book Tantra. The temple painted red ocher. There is a trident on top of it. Apart from Mata Peeth, Shivling also established in the sanctum sanctorum. Just in front of a huge verandah made of sixteen pillars. A huge Yagya Kund built. The eleven-pillared yagyashala built in two sections made of thatch.

Is. On this Sita Mountain, Shri Makandeya did penance at this place. Due to this the mother pleased and blessed that you remain immortal and immortal, besides the mother, Bhairav Baba, Ganapati Maharaj, Mahakali, and the mother’s body established. There is a gate on the top of the mountain.

The Temple:

Before entering the temple there are feet of the goddess in a mandapam and before that a lion’s feet. Tantric practice is also high here. Many saints from the Himalayas come here to practice. Aham Raju Shivasingha came here in 1659. Hal Ram brought from Nadia, Shantipur village in West Bengal, and appointed as Pandits for Durgeshwari Mata Puja duties. Since then, their descendants have been performing puja duties in the temple. Aarti offered from 5-30 pm to 6 pm. After offering arati daily, a tiger comes from the hill and comes back here again. At that time the entrance to the temple will be closed.

After entering the Dirgheshwari Mata Temple, one has to descend twenty steps to see the goddess. There are 3 idols of Ganesha on the left side of the sanctum sanctorum. There are small idols of Goddess Durga and Saraswati next to it. Beside them is Durga Devi Peetha. It means the place where mother’s thigh fell. There is no idol there. A foot deep, a little like a dunghill (mana mori). Puja performed at that place. It is there that devotees make their wishes to Amma. Then the Kali Peetha. There is an idol of Kalika Devi and a Shiv Linga in the ditch next to it.

There are no electric lights in the sanctum sanctorum. Akhanda Deepa has been lit since long time along with regular lamp worships. God’s vision in their light. We were able to see in such detail because the priest explained and showed it in detail. He said that this is a good place for Gupta Sadhana and many people come and practice here. This temple mentioned in Kalika Purana, Jogini Tantra, Devi Purana, Markandeya Purana, Tantrasara etc. Goddess also known as Bageshwari and Chandi. By worshiping this mother, kings in the past won wars.

The present Dirgheshwari Mata Temple constructed by Ahom king Swargadeo Siva Singha reign 1714 CE-1744 CE, under the supervision of Tarun Duwarah Barphukan, the Ahom viceroy of Guwahati and Lower Assam.

Festivals:

Devi Navratras celebrated here with great fervor. At that time animal sacrifices, especially bullocks, sacrificed.

Devotees offer prayers here at festivals like Navratri, Ganesh Puja, Shiv Puja, Nagpanchami, Shri Durga Puja, Kaliji Puja, Gadan Chaturdashi, etc. Seven shops of incense and lamp incense sticks permanently installed here. But during major festivals, the number of shops increases to about fifty. Worship performed daily from morning to evening. This is a very beautiful place. It is the best place for introspection. The area of the temple is 1280 decimals. Around 5-6 lakh devotees visit every year.

It has been declared a protected site under the Assam Ancient Monuments and Records Act 1959.

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