Do you want to explore the most famous temples in North East India? Well, most pilgrims want to travel to the religious sites of this region. If you are on a pilgrimage tour to North East India, you can visit a myriad of sacred temples here. These holy sites showcase the rich culture and mysticism of India. They are dedicated to different deities of the country. These temples connect you with divine power and provide you with spiritual growth. Here are some of the famous temples in North East India that you can visit during your trip to this region:
This is one of the famous temples in North East India. Located in Assam, the Bhuvaneswari temple is one of the most visited temples in the country. Dedicated to Goddess Durga, this is an ancient sacred site that receives a large number of devotees during Manasha Puja and Ambubasi Mela. This temple is located close to the Kamakhya temple and creates a perfect setting for the pilgrims to meditate. According to the mythology, Goddess Bhuvaneswari is the ruler of the universe. Once you are here, you can enjoy the breath-taking views of lush valleys, the Brahmaputra River, and majestic hills. One can experience the magical connection of nature as well as the spiritual ambiance here.
Ambubachi Mela is celebrated in the temple with great enthusiasm. It is organized during the monsoon season. This mela is celebrated mainly in the Kamakhya Temple. No entrance fee is charged in the temple. Thus, you can visit it and enjoy the breath-taking views of the surroundings here.
It is one of the must-visit temples in North East India. Dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, this temple is visited by devotees from different corners of the country. They come here to seek the blessings of the Goddess. A legend is attached to this sacred site. According to it, Goddess Sati burnt herself, and her yoni and womb fell at this place. Due to this event, the Kamakhya temple became one of the 51 Siddha Shaktipeethas. The pilgrims have a deep reverence for this temple and flock to this place from different regions of India. One of the major attractions of this temple is Ambubasi Mela, which occurs in June. During this mela, many saints, tantrics, and sadhus perform different rituals to please the Goddess.
It is one of the most visited sacred sites in Assam. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Bileswar Temple was constructed 500 years ago. According to a legend, the priest had a cow that refused to be milked. When the priest followed the cow, he saw that the cow could give milk on virina, which is a type of grass. When the King got to know about it, this place was dug out, and he founded a Shiva Linga on this exact spot.
A temple was constructed on this very spot and was called Birreswar or Virina. Later, it was called Billeswar, and now Belsor. Nowadays, Belsor is a modern village that is easily accessible. Bileshwar temple has attracted a large number of devotees from different parts of the country. The temple was rebuilt by Lakshmi Singla, who was the Ahom King. This temple is located about 10 km southwest of a town named Nalbari. It is visited by a large number of devotees who come here from different regions of the country.
One of the most popular spiritual centers to visit in North East India is Sri Suraya Pahar. This is a sacred place where people of different religions worship. They visit this spot in large numbers. Once you are here, you can enjoy many ancient sacred places. Some of the best spots to see here include Surya Mandir, Buddhist Stupas, etc. People believe that this artistry was done by Lord Brahma.
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Asvakranta is one of the most popular temples in North East India. This sacred spot is undoubtedly the greatest Vishnu shrine in Assam state. Constructed on the bank of a rocky river, the temple is visited by a large number of pilgrims and tourists. Many travel agencies offer you pilgrimage tours to the Asvakranta Temple. According to a legend, Lord Krishna stayed here with his army before killing the demon named Narakasur. Another story associated with this temple is about Lord Krishna and Rukmini, who was his wife. It is believed that the temple was constructed at the very spot where the horse of Lord Krishna was surrounded by many enemies.
Once you are in the temple, you will get to see the idols of many Hindu Gods. You can visit the site that has a footprint of Lord Krishna, Anantasyi, and Kurmajanardan. This temple is a perfect mixture of ancient Indian and Ahom architectural styles. The carvings done here are quite impressive. You will see many intricate designs in the temple that enhance its beauty. The beautifully carved stones of the temple showcase the rich sculptural art of that era.
The Ananta Saini and Kurma-Janardana Vishnu temples are renowned for their architecture. You can see a beautiful sculpture of Lord Vishnu in Anantha Saini Vishnu Temple. He is in a meditative posture, which is called Anant Saini Mudra. The top of the sanctum has beautiful pictures of Vishnu’s Dashavatar.
It is another famous temple to explore when you are on your North East India pilgrimage tour. The temple holds an important place in the hearts of devotees. According to the legend, the body parts of Goddess Sati fell here. Since then, this place has been known as a sacred spot for worshipping Shakti. According to mythology, Lord Shiva roamed in the sky carrying Sati’s dead body. Seeing this act, the body was cut into many pieces by Lord Mahavishnu with the help of his Sudarshan Chakra. As a result, her body parts were scattered all around the country.
The head of Sati fell in Arunachal Pradesh, and a temple was established here, which is known as Akashi Ganga. One of the striking features of this temple is a sacred Kund, which is situated approximately 100 meters from here.
Devotees need to use a spiral path to get there. Another special feature of this temple is a famous phenomenon here. Devotees can see a glittering thing in the Kund from a distance. However, as you come closer, this shining object disappears. Devotees from different parts of the world visit here to see this phenomenon.
Unakoti Hills Temples are also the most amazing spiritual sites that are visited by a large number of devotees. Pilgrims who visit this place can enjoy the breath-taking natural scenery and beautiful sculptures. The carvings on the sculptures are beautifully done by experienced artisans. An ancient legend is associated with this temple. According to it, Lord Shiva spent a night in Kashi with 99, 99,999 gods and goddesses. He asked his devotees to get up before sunrise. However, nobody woke up. Enraged by this, he cursed them and turned all of them into stones.
Once you are here, you will get to see the beautiful sculptures of the temple. They are divided into stone images and rock-carved figures. The rock-cut carvings of the Ganesha figure and the head of Lord Shiva are the most beautiful rock-cut carvings that leave all the devotees amazed. The head of Shiva in the centre is approximately 30 feet high. It is known as Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava. Each side of the head dress of Shiva has 2 female figures. You can also see 3 large images of the Nandi Bull that are half-buried in the ground.
Unakoti Hill Temples host a popular fair called the Ashokastami Mela. This festival is celebrated every year in the month of April. Innumerable pilgrims attend it. When you visit Unakoti Hill Temples, you can also explore its beautiful surroundings. Due to the tranquil environment of these temples, many devotees visit this place and meditate here.
This is one of the must-visit places in Manipur. It is among the most important spiritual places in North East India. Devotees in large numbers visit this place from different corners of the country. Vaishnavaites have a deep reverence for this temple. As soon as you enter the temple, you will see the beautiful sculptures of Lord Krishna and Radha. Pilgrims visit the temple to seek their blessings. Sri Govindjee Temple also houses the idols of Goddess Balabhadra, Lord Balaam, Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra, etc.
The temple was commissioned in the year 1846 by Maharaja Nara Singh. The earthquake of 1868 caused heavy damage to the structures of the temples. The ruler of that time, Maharaja Chandrakriti, renovated the temple in 1876. This temple is a perfect example of traditional Nagara architecture, which spellbinds the tourists as well as pilgrims. The tranquil environment of the temple creates a perfect setting for the pilgrims to meditate.
Many festivals are celebrated in this temple, such as Basanta Purnima in the month of February and Rathyatra in June or July. Other festivals that you can participate in are Janamashtami in August and Kartik Purnima in October.
Located on the Sivasagar tank, Sivasagar Sivadol is a group of structures that houses 3 Hindu temples that are Vishnudol, Sivadol, and Devidol. Apart from the temples, you will also find a museum here. Sivasagar tank was built between 1731 and 1738. They were constructed in the year 1734 by Bar Raja Ambika who was the queen of Swargadeo Siba Singha.
Sivadol Temple is a 180 foot structure and is one of the most visited places in the country. It is popular for its golden dome which is called Kolosi. As you enter the temple, you will find beautiful sculptures inside the temple that showcases the art of faith and devotion. Sivadol temple is a great example of Ahom architecture. The base of this tower is 195 feet in circumference. Once you enter the sanctum sanctorum, you will be surprised to see a reversed Shiva Linga which captivates the pilgrims and tourists.
The Shikhara of the temple has a 4-tiered mastaka with a golden Kalash that gleams under the light. The design of the temple is a visual feast for the pilgrims and travellers. Do not forget to see the 4 identical towers at the upper part of the temple once you are here. The exterior of the temple looks extremely beautiful as the walls are adorned with beautiful sculptures. The outer walls of the temple have beautiful sculptures of Goddess Durga. The depiction of arms showcases her battle against King Mahishasura.
Located at a hill in Agartala, Tripura Sundari Temple is an architectural marvel that has a great religious significance. The temple is constructed in 1501 A.D by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya Dev. It is constructed at the exact spot where the right foot of Sati fell during the tandav of Lord Shiva. This temple is among the 21 Shaktipeethas of the country. The temple has a square sanctum that has two images of the same deity. They are quite similar to each other. The large one is 5 feet in height. However, the smaller idol of Chhoto- Ma is only 2 feet tall. This idol provides protection and prosperity to the devotees.
According to a legend, Goddess Tripura Sundari protects her devotees on earth as well as on heaven after killing the demon named Bhandasura. People believe that offering prayers in this temple will provide complete relief to them from a number of problems. She helps the people obtain salvation. People worship the Goddess with a goat sacrifice if their wishes are fulfilled here. They seek blessings of the deity to get rid of a plethora of problems such as lack of child, delay in marriage, poverty, etc.
There is no dearth of famous temples in North East India. If you are on a pilgrimage tour to this region, you will get to see a myriad of temples that hold a special place in the heart of devotees. From Bhuvasneswari Temple to Tripura Sundari temple, you can explore many temples that showcase the rich culture and tradition of the country. Hence, pack your bags and choose the right pilgrimage tour package for your spiritual journey to the North East India region.