Singri Gupteswar Temple, Assam
Singri Gupteswar is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva constructed by his devotee, King Bana, and is one of the most ancient temples in Assam. The abode of Sri Sri Gupteswar (Gupta-Iswar) is situated on the northern bank of the River Brahmaputra in the Dhekiajuli tensil, district of Sonitpur, about 50 km. from Tezpur. The current structure, which dates to the 7th Century A.D., stands on the foothills of Singri, overtop a cave.
The presiding deity, Sri Sri Gupteswar, known as Gupteshwar Baba, is Shivalinga. According to the 10th Century Kalika Purana, Shiva was worshipped here by the Kirat people. Sometime after the reign of Kirat king Banasura, a later Koch king, Naranarayana began to offer worship to Lord Shiva here with Brahmanical rituals, and that worship continues today.
The temple has a sacred fire pit called dhunighar within its premises. It is believed that the dhuni has been burning unceasingly from time immemorial, and that Lord Shiva himself originated the sacred blaze. Shaivite followers smear the holy ashes from this fire over their bodies.
There is a beautiful rock-cut sculpture of Lord Ganesha at the entrance of Singri Gupteswar Temple, carved from a big rock. A small protective temple has recently been built around this shrine. A boundary wall made of ancient bricks and the brass spire of the temple were completed under the Ahom kings.
The sage Rishya Sringa resided here, and was known for his ability to create rain that possessed celestial wisdom and spiritual insight. A small neglected agnihotra pit sits at the top of Singri hill.
Singri Gupteswar is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva constructed by his devotee, King Bana, and is one of the most ancient temples in Assam. The abode of Sri Sri Gupteswar (Gupta-Iswar) is situated on the northern bank of the River Brahmaputra in the Dhekiajuli tensil, district of Sonitpur, about 50 km. from Tezpur. The current structure, which dates to the 7th Century A.D., stands on the foothills of Singri, overtop a cave.
The presiding deity, Sri Sri Gupteswar, known as Gupteshwar Baba, is Shivalinga. According to the 10th Century Kalika Purana, Shiva was worshipped here by the Kirat people. Sometime after the reign of Kirat king Banasura, a later Koch king, Naranarayana began to offer worship to Lord Shiva here with Brahmanical rituals, and that worship continues today.
The temple has a sacred fire pit called dhunighar within its premises. It is believed that the dhuni has been burning unceasingly from time immemorial, and that Lord Shiva himself originated the sacred blaze. Shaivite followers smear the holy ashes from this fire over their bodies.
There is a beautiful rock-cut sculpture of Lord Ganesha at the entrance of Singri Gupteswar Temple, carved from a big rock. A small protective temple has recently been built around this shrine. A boundary wall made of ancient bricks and the brass spire of the temple were completed under the Ahom kings.
The sage Rishya Sringa resided here, and was known for his ability to create rain that possessed celestial wisdom and spiritual insight. A small neglected agnihotra pit sits at the top of Singri hill.
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