 Vasishtha Ashram is situated amidst beautiful natural scenes, in the Sandhyachal hills of eastern Guwahati. It is an important pilgrimage center, which was built by the Ahom king, Raja Rajeswar, in the second half of the 18th century. Vasishtha Ashram is the abode of Sage Vasishtha which is located at a distance of 12 kms from the railway station of Guwahati. It was established by Sage Vasishtha who was attracted towards the scenic beauty of the area. The area is surrounded with three streams of Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta which gives makes the sight extremely picturesque.
Vasishtha is, in fact, the last existing monument which was constructed by the Ahom dynasty rulers. The Ashram is the meeting point of three rivulets namely, Sandhya, Kanta and Lalita, merging together to create a unique natural setting. Legends of Vasishtha Ashram There are a number of legends associated with sage Vasishtha and this ashram. These legends have been related differently in different chronicles. According to a popular belief, it is said that a dip in the water enhances a person’s life and also washes off the sins committed. In addition, there are several legends associated with sage Vasishtha and this ashram.  According to one of the popular legends, it was said that the hermit Vasishtha used to perform his ‘Sandhya’ in a stream near his ashram, which was also his home. However, one day, due to the ardent games played by Lord Indra with his Queen Shachi and other heavenly women, the water in the stream became impure. The sage grew furious at this and cursed Indra saying that he would have sexual contact with a Daitya woman. This curse transformed Indra into a normal person and the curse of Vasishtha also came true. However, Lord Indra granted a boon to the Daitya woman, saying that the son in her womb would become a king. It was this same son who later became the progenitor of the Ahom Kingdom and ruled over the Assam region.
According to another legend, it is believed that the sage attained spiritual success by dwelling into the secrets of Sakta practices. It is also possible that the sage, after being refused into the Kamakshya temple, came down to Sandhyachal and meditated on Lord Shiva. Tourism in Vasishtha Ashram Vasishtha Ashram is an important pilgrimage center of not only Guwahati, but the whole of Assam. It is also a very famous tourist spot of the state. There is a temple of Lord Shiva, associated with the hermitage of Vasishtha, situated nearby. Thousands of devotees come here every year to offer their prayers to the Lord and to attain inner peace and happiness by taking a dip in the holy waters of the stream nearby. With its greenery and natural beauty this place has attracted a number of tourists who not only visit the area to see the ashram, but enjoy the environmental peace of the area. Thus the Vasishtha Ashram has been one most peaceful and ecologically pleasant place in Guwahati that attracts huge number of tourists every year. |
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