• Jan 25 2016
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Aswaklanta Temple

 

Aswaklanta Temple was built by the Ahom King Shiva Singha in 1720. The temple was damaged in the great earth quake of Assam in 1897. But it was repaired in 1901 under patronage of Lord Curzon, then viceroy of Assam. Earlier, there was a Kunda or a sacrificial space in the spot, which has been washed away by the River Brahmaputra. According to mythology, when Lord Krishna was searching for Narakasur, his horse felt tired here where Aswaklanta temple is located now. Aswa means 'horse' and Klanta means 'tired' in Assamese language. Hence, the place got the name Aswa-Klanta. According to another legend, Arjuna, the third of the Pandavas was persuaded to stay here, so that his son Abhimanyu could be killed in the war. This was a conspiracy, and thus this place got the name of Abhi-kranta in Assamese, which later became Aswaklanta. The temple consists of two images, one of Lord Janardana and other of Lord Anantasai Vishnu. The image of Anantasai Vishnu is a fine art specimen dating back to the 11th century. The temple body has beautiful stone inscriptions on them. The major festivals celebrated here are Janmashtami and Ashokastami with great pomp and show. During this festival, a large number of devotees come to the temple to witness the traditional rituals and pooja ceremonies which have been conducted here annually.