Basistha Mandir, Assam

Address

Basistha Mandir, Assam

Basistha, Guwahati,

Assam 781029

Moolavar

Shiva

Introduction

Basistha temple, located in the south-east corner of Guwahati city, Assam, India, is a Shiva mandir. Basistha Temple, also known as Vasistha Temple, is located in Beltola, a town located in the outskirts of central Guwahati city, Assam. This temple was built in 1764 AD by Ahom King, Rajeswar Singha. This temple is located within the Basistha Ashram which showcases the history of the Vedic age. Bahini River, also known as Bharalu River and Basistha River flow through the ashram and the temple, it was named after Saint Basistha. There is a waterfall and a meditation cave nearby.

Puranic Significance

The site has evidence of a stone temple which once stood at this spot around 1000-1100 CE. A brick temple was built upon the remains of the stone temple of an earlier period. It is an octagonal temple with a polygonal sikhara over it. 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 asrama in this area in the remote past. This octagonal brick temple was built by Ahom king Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha.

According to legend the ashram was founded by the great saint Basistha (Vasishtha) Temple in the ashram stands on the bank of the mountain streams originating from the hills of Meghalaya, which becomes the rivers Basistha and Bahini/Bharalu flowing through the city. This ashram is believed to be the home of sage Basistha.