Basistha Temple | Ashram & Timings, Address

Basistha temple is located southeast of Guwahati city, Assam State. It is a Lord Shiva mandir. According to legend, the ashram was founded by the great saint Basistha. The Temple stands on the banks of mountain streams that originate from the higher hills of Meghalaya, forming the great River Basistha and River Bahini/Bharalu that flows through the city. Temple Hours are Monday Through Sunday: 6:00 am and 9:30 pm.

Basistha Ashram:

This ashram is believed to be the home of the sage Basistha. The ashram is located a few kilometres (10-12) from Guwahati, on the outskirts of the Garbhanga reserve forest, which has a population of elephant animals.

This Garbhanga reserve forest is also a butterfly reserve. Although the ashram has a temple, the cave in which Muni Vasistha is believed to have meditated is located 5 km inside the ashram. The ashram also has a waterfall.

Basistha Temple Architecture:

The well-known Ahom King Rajeswar Singha commissioned the Basistha Temple from 1851 to 1769. The temple’s architecture is complemented by terracotta and stone sculptures inside and hills and stones outside. 

Also, the Temple is connected with the Maharishi Basistha of the Hindu epic Ramayana, who ended his life here. Apart from this, beautiful sculptures at his Temple are placed on the tri-juncture of the hill streams, Sandhya, Lalita, and Kanta.

History:

This Temple is described as one of the seven Shakti Peethas in the Kalika Purana. The site has proof of a stone temple around 1000-1100 CE, and a brick temple was built upon the remains of the stone temple of an earlier period.

It is an octagonal(eight-sided) temple with a polygonal sikhara over it. The Temple has a sunken garbhagriha, which has a trust to have the foot impression of the sage Vasistha, who has a trust in having had his asrama in this region in the remote area in the past. Ahom king Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha built this octagonal brick temple in the 18th century.

Basistha Temple Timings:

Lord Shiva performs rituals throughout the day. Archana, Daily Darshan, Abhishekam, and Arathi are some daily rituals performed here.

Here are the Temple Timings:

Day	Timings
Monday	6.00 pm and 9.00 pm
Tuesday	6.00 pm and 9.00 pm
Wednesday	6.00 pm and 9.00 pm
Thursday	6.00 pm and 9.00 pm
Friday	6.00 pm and 9.00 pm
Saturday	6.00 pm and 9.00 pm
Sunday	6.00 pm and 9.00 pm

Visit the Temple during the Shiva Chaturdashi and Maha Shivratri festivals. Both are celebrated with a grand ceremony and show at the Temple. Many people visit during these festivals to seek Lord Shiva’s divine blessings.

Tourist Places Nearby Basistha Temple:

Garbhanga Wildlife Sanctuary:

Flora:

A study documented 139 species of trees, 122 herbs and shrubs, 52 climbers, 11 species of orchids, and five species of bamboo and rattan.

Fauna:

There are 36 mammals, 219 species of birds, 38 species of reptiles, 15 species of amphibians, 168 species of butterflies, and 15 species of spiders. This is near the Temple.

Saraighat Bridge:

The Saraighat Bridge is a rail-cum-road bridge over the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India. It is the first of its kind in the state. The bridge is 1492 meters long, and the road on it is 7.3 meters wide.

Madan Kamdev:

In Kamrup (25 km) from Guwahati, Madan Kamdev is an archaeological site dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries.

Mahamaya Temple:

Mahamaya Temple of Bogribari, located about 30 km east of Dubhri town, is one of the most visited temples in that part of Assam. The Temple derives its name from the incredible Goddess Mahamaya, meaning supreme illusion.

Haajo:

Hajo, or Haajo, is one of the famous tourist places in Guwahati. It is known as the ancient pilgrim centre for three prominent Indian religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.

Aswakranta Temple:

In the Assamese language, Aswa means ‘horse’, and Klanta means ‘tired’. Lord Krishna was searching for Narakasura; his horse felt tired here, where Shri Aswaklanta temple is now located. 

Bhuvaneshwari Temple:

Bhuvaneshwari Temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari and is placed on a hilltop offering panoramic views of the entire Guwahati city.

Sukreswar Temple:

The Temple is located atop Itakhuli hill. This strategic location exhibits stunning views of the nearby Brahmaputra River and the valley below. The Sukreswar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was constructed in 1744.

Navagraha Temple:

Dedicated to the nine major celestial bodies (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, North Lunar Node and South Lunar Node), Navagraha Temple in Guwahati has nine Shiva Lingas.

Assam State Museum:

There are different galleries inside, such as iconography, archaeology, and epigraphy, to name a few. Sculptures, tribal artworks, and fabrics are also placed as exhibits inside the museum.

Pandu, Guwahati:

The Suburban town of Pandu is named after King Pandu (father of the famous five Pandavas). The Tila Hills in the city has a temple dedicated to Pandu (the Pandunath temple).

Hotels Near the Temple:

The following Hotels are near Basistha Temple.

• Hotel Empire Regency
• FabHotel The Hotel Orchid
• Hotel Highway Palace
• OYO 89554 Hotel Comfort Stay
• Hotel Crystal Inn
• The Greenwood Hotel, Guwahati
• Victoria Guest House
• Maddy’s Guest House
• Joyable Homestay
• The Royal Guwahati
• Hotel Island Park

Address: 

• Temple, Basistha, Guwahati, Assam 781029.

Temple Phone Number

• Phone: 060028 19866, 0361-2300191.

How to reach Basistha Temple:

By Air:

Guwahati’s International Airport is just 15 km from the city centre. From there, flights to almost every region are available.

By Train:

Nearest Railway Station is (NGC)New Guwahati. Distance: 10.06 Km.

By Road:

This Temple is well-connected by city buses that pass on the main A.T and G.S roads and take you directly to “Basistha Temple”. The bus to the Temple will drop you off in the square right in front of the temple complex.

FAQs:

Related Links:

• Navagraha Temple | Timings & Famous Places Nearby Temple
• Ranchhodrai Temple | Timings, Significance & Festivals
• Asvakranta Temple | Timings, History & Hotels Nearby Temple
• Umananda Temple | Timings, Ferry Cost & Address
• Green Valley | Timings, Ticket & Accommodation