 As a part of the India it is quite natural to be endowed with a number of places of worship and Assam is no exception. In fact, it is one of the important pilgrimage sites for Hindus as well as Muslims.
Assam's busy capital, Guwahati boasts one of India's most important Kali temples-- Kamakhya and Navagraha both occupy commanding hilltop positions.
On the commanding Nilachal Hill, overlooking the river, 8 km west of the centre, stands the Kali temple of Kamakhya. With its beehive-shaped shikhara, it is a fine example of the distinctive Assamese style of architecture.
As one of the 'shakti peethas', it marks the place where Sati's yoni (vulva) landed when her body fell to earth in 51 pieces and is one of the three most important Tantric temples in India. Animal sacrifice is part of the ritual here and lambs are bathed in the ceremonial tank before being led to slaughter behind the temple hall. Stalls leading to the temple sell trinkets and a short walk up the hill brings lead to a smaller temple with wonderful views of Guwahati and the Brahmaputra. East of the town centre, atop another hill, is the Navagraha Temple (Guwahati) - the "temple of the nine planets", an ancient seat of astrologyand astronomy 
It is laid with wonderful acoustics.Housed in a single red dome, the central lingam is encircled by a further eight representing the planets, each lit by clusters of candles. A small Ganesh shrine guards the entrance to the inner sanctum and the lingam represent, clockwise: the Moon (Chandra), Mars (Mangal), the Dragon's Head (Rahu), Saturn (Shani), the Dragon's Tail (Ketu), Jupiter (Brihaspati), Mercury (Budha) and Venus (Shukra).
The Shiva Temple of Umananda, Guwahati stands on Peacock Island in the middle of the Brahmaputra. Its location, at the top of a steep flight of steps is, however, more dramatic than the temple itself. Around the shrine rare-golden langurs roam about freely. Ferries leave regularly from Kachari and Umananda Ghat. In the Panjabari district, near Guwahati, lie the Satras that are important to the Vaishnavites, followers of lord Vishnu or Vaishnavism. It was founded in Assam by Sankaradeva. 
Hajo, 2 km north of Guwahati, is a pilgrimage site for Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims, worth seeing for its religious temples including the Hindu Hayagriva -Madhava Mandir.
Muslims believe that visiting the Poa Mecca, Hajo here four times in a time is equivalent to a pilgrimage to Mecca. It was built by Pir Giasuddin Aulia. The word 'poa' means one-fourth.
There are 22 satras on Majuli in Upper Assam. the satra - a temple, monastery, school and centre for the arts where poetry, folk music, literature, sculpture and dance are explored - consists of a prayer hall surrounded by living quarters for devotees, and ghats for bathing. The Satras here include Dakhinpat Satra, Garamurh Satra, Auniati Satra, Bengenaati Satra, Shamaguri Satra, Batadrawa Satra, Barpeta Satra and Kirtanghar. The monks offer the visitors tea and they can sometimes sit in through the prayer meetings in their meditation hall. 4 kilometers further west at Auniati, another satra keeps royal artefacts from the Ahom kingdom and has an interesting collection of Assamese handicrafts and jewellery.
Basistha Ashram in the Guwahati city is nestled on the Sandhyachal hill. It belongs to the ancient sage Bashistha. it is situated at a distance of 2 kilometers from the city's railway station. Buses are easily available to reach this place. 
Another pilgrim attraction in Assam is the Mahabhairab Temple, around Guwahati city. it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This shrine is well known for its antiquity and was built by King Bana. It is considered one the oldest Shiva temples in Indiaand numerous devotees throng the temple during Shiva Ratri.
Madan Kamdev is situated 40 kilometers away from Guwahati. A lot of mystery is associated with this particular shrine as quite little is known about its origin. Da-Parbatia Temple in Tezpur is, presently in ruins. It is one of the outstanding examples of iconoclastic art of Assam. Two idols of goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna at the door jambs are seen elegantly decorated with ornamental foliage. Madan Kamdev temple is situated 40 kilometres away from Guwahati. A lot of mystery is associated with this particular shrine, as quite little is known about its origin. Da-Parbatia Temple in Tezpur is, presently in ruins. It is one of the outstanding examples of iconoclastic art of Assam. Two idols of goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna at the doorjambs are seen elegantly decorated with ornamental foliage. A few kilometres away from Silchar (Cachar District) lies an important temple called the Bhuban Temple. the place is swarmed by visitors during Dol Purnima(Holi) and Shiva Ratri. There is a "pushkarni" or the lake near this temple where the devotees take a dip and from here they carry water to offer to the Shiva linga. The linga is placed within a cave temple. Special buses are available from Silchar to arrive at this holy place. Most of the temples are steeped in legends and tales. As the tourists explore these religious places they will be completely be drowned in their fascinating tales. |
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Pilgrimage Tours in Assam
| Pilgrimage Tours in Assam include a trip to the famous temple of Kamakhya. |
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