History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Activities, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Basistha Ashram and Temple, Guwahati, Assam, India
Basista temple, also spelled as Basistha Temple, located in the south-east corner of Guwahati city, Assam, India, is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is of paramount historical and religious significance as the Basistha Ashram where the temple is located dates back to the Vedic age. According to legend the Ashram was founded by the Great Saint Basistha (Vasishtha). The temple stands on the banks of mountain streams which originate from the higher hills of Meghalaya, which in turn forms the great River Basistha and River Bharalu that flows through the city. The temple's presiding temple is Lord Shiva, often considered as the Supreme of all gods.
The Legend of Basistha Ashram
This ashram is believed to be the home of Sage Basistha, located a few kilometres from Guwahati, on the outskirts of Garbhanga Reserve Forest which is mostly populated with elephants and wildlife. Although the Ashram has a temple but still the cave in which the Muni Vasistha is believed to have meditated is located deep inside the ashram, which also hosts a waterfall.
The Kalika Purana has described the Basistha Temple as one of the seven Shakti Peethas, important pilgrimage centres for Shaktism. The ancient history of the Ashram is believed to trace ts origin since the Vedic age, founded by the great saint Vasistha. Popular Legends that circulate among the natives propound that once saint Vasistha went to Kamarupa to worship Goddess Kamakhya. When King Naraka stopped him from doing so, Sage Vasistha cursed him. Vasistha built a hermitage at Sandhyachal and led his life meditating for Lord Shiva. Vasistha Muni is also credited with writing the Vasistha Ramayana. The Rishi is said to have created the ashram setting and is also believed to have died here.
History of Basistha Ashram and Temple
The site has evidence of a stone temple which once stood at this spot around the tenth century. It is evident that a brick temple has been built upon the remains of this stone temple. The temple has a sunken garbhagriha which is believed to have the foot impression of the sage Vasistha, who is believed to have had his Ashram in this area in the remote past. The temple was constructed by Ahom King Rajeshwar Singha in the eighteenth. The king was also highly appreciated by the locals as he gifted 835 bighas of land to the ashram to build this magnificent temple. The temple is situated inside the Vasistha ashram premises, which is considered as the abode of saint Basistha.
Architecture and surrounding area of Basistha Ashram and Temple
The temple complex resembles an octagonal shape, which is made atop in a polygonal shape of sikhara. The carvings are beautifully done on either side of the walls, giving the ancient and spiritual touch to the vibes of the temples. The ashram is surrounded by forests all around. The place is flocked by a large number of tourists as it is also a picnic spot.
Popular belief behind Basistha Ashram and Temple
Basistha temple attracts pilgrims for the immense beauty. There are wells within the temple which is Shiva Shakti Peetha. The Shakti Peetha is also known as Tara Peet, where a Siva Linga of Mangaleshwar is hidden in the wells which are is not visible.
Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta, the mountain tributaries flow near the Ashram. The gathering point of the rivulets is called the Amrutha kunda. Vasistha Muni used to meditate in the place.
Pilgrims visit the ashram for holy dip in the Vasistha Kunda. The Vasistha Kunda is downstream the Vasistha Ganga, believed to be created by the saint.
Other attractions nearby Basistha Ashram and Temple
Amongst the main attractions here to see is the cave where saint Vasistha used to sit for meditation. A beautiful waterfall seen at this location enhances the beauty of the cave even more. The Garbhanga Reserve Forest is also located very near to the temple and one will get to see many elephants and butterflies in this forest. About 200 km from the Vasistha kunda is the temple of Arundhati Mata, wife of the Vasistha saint.
How to Reach Basistha Ashram and Temple, Guwahati, The Temple City and major City of Assam and North East India, Assam, India
Guwahati being one of the major pilgrimage and tourist center along with important city and metropolitan area of Assam, it is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Thousands of tourist across the world visits here throughout the year which makes Guwahati more convenient in terms of travel, accommodation and other services. Guwahati has major railway junction from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Guwahati has International Airport which is the located at just 15 km from city area from where you can find flight to almost every region of world. Guwahati is located at 15 km from Dispur, 98 km from Shillong, 107 km from Udalguri, 30 km from Sualkuchi, 350 km from Kohima, 485 km from Imphal,
