Sivasagar Sivadol is a group of structures comprising three Hindu temples of Sivadol, Visnudol and Devidol, other shrines, and a museum.
Shrine’s History
Sibsagar, present day Sivasagar, was the capital of Ahom kingdom. The Ahoms had migrated from South China in 1228 and established their first capital at Charaideo 28 kilometres from present day Sivsagar in 1253. Initially, they were Buddhists, though Hinduism came to prevail. It was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom till the British Raj was established in India. The tank was constructed between 1731 and 1738 and the temples were built in 1734 by Bar Raja Ambika, queen of Ahom king Swargadeo Siba Singha.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The Sivadol or Shiva temple, built in the Shikhara architecture, has a central tower which is said to be the tallest tower in India at a height of 104 feet .The base of the temple measures 195 ft in circumference. The temple is built of stone and bricks. Inside the Garbhagriha, the Shiva Linga is deified, which is in a reverse setting. The Shikhara or Vimana , which rises above the sanctum sanatorium, has a four-tiered, 8 feet mastaka and is crowned by a kalasha made of gold. The tower itself is built with parallel ridges and furrows. The lower part of the tower is flanked by four smaller identical towers, which are known as the angashikaras.
The garbagriha, where the main deity is deified in the form of a reversed Shiva linga, is interconnected with an antarala, a small antechamber, which has a roof known as do-chala, which is akin to a typical hut built in Assam. The antarala is also connected to one of the mandapas. The exterior walls of the temple are embellished with sculptures and floral designs set in Bas-relief. Some of the unique sculptures set on the outer walls of the temple are of the goddess Durga, which are seen carved with 2 arms, 4 arms, 6 arms, 10 arms and 16 arms.
The sixteen armed Durga holding various weapons is a “pan-Himalayan” theme adopted in plastic arts of Ahom temple architecture. Durga is depicted decimating Mahishasura, the demon king with a buffalo head, by thrusting a spear. She is riding a lion, her mount, which supports her in the fight with the demon. This feature represents the harmonious blend of brahminical Hindu culture with the Shaktism cult which the royalty of Ahom dynasty had adopted as their religious practice throughout their kingdom.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Sivasagar is well connected by road with the rest of the state. State-run buses connect it to Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Jorhat from the Assam State Transport Corporations bus station in Sivasagar.
By Rail
The nearest railway station on the Tinsukia-Guwahati sector of the North East Frontier Railways is located at Simaluguri, 16 kilometres from Sivasagar.
By Air
The closest airport is Jorhat Airport located at Jorhat, 75 km away from Sivasagar. It is connected, via regular flights, to cities like Guwahati, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Delhi. Sivasagar is also connected to Dibrugarh and Shillong. The next nearest airport is Dibrugarh Airport, located at a distance of 95 km from the city.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Mahashivaratri February or March Hare
Krishna kirtan August or September
Durga Pooja Festival September or October
Dol Purnima February or March Rath Yatra June or July
Extra Information About this Shrine
The presiding deity of this temple is Shiva Lingam, the infinite nature of Lord Shiva, which is interconnected with an antarala, a small antechamber or foyer between the sanctum sanctorum and the mandapam.
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