Basistha temple Travel Guide

Basistha or Vasistha Temple is located in Beltola, at the outskirts of the Guwahati city. It is located near Garbhanga Reserve Forest which is populated by elephants and is also a proposed butterfly reserve. The temple was constructed by Ahom king Rajeshwar Singha in 1751-1769. The king also gifted 835 bighas of land to the ashram to build this temple. The temple is situated on the Vasistha ashram, the abode of saint Basistha. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple stands on the bank of mountain streams which originates from the hills of Meghalaya which in turn becomes river Basistha and Bharalu that flows through the city.

The Kalika Purana has described the Basistha Temple as one of the seven Shaktipeeths. The history of the Ashram dates back to the Vedic age. The ashram was founded by the great saint Vasistha. Legends say that once saint Vasistha went to Kamarupa to worship goddess Kamakhya. When king Naraka stopped him from doing so, Vasistha cursed him. Vasistha built a hermitage at Sandhyachal and led his life meditating on Shiva. Vasistha muni is credited with writing the Vasistha Ramayana. Vasistha muni had created the ashram and is said to have died here. The grave of Saint Vasistha is seen here.

By the name Basistha Ashram (or Vasishtha Ashram), it is considered to be the hermitage of the legendary sage Basistha. It is in 14 kilometer away from the centre point of the city. The temple is an ideal scenic spot for the pilgrimage and very popular among the city-dwellers. The temple got a huge number of visitors and tourists locally & from outside the region on daily basis.

The famous Ahom king Rajeswar Singha constructed this temple in between the year 1751-1769. The temple and the location is endowed by the terracotta and stone sculptures which can be seen in the premises of the temple and the nearby hills and stones. The temple is related with the great Maharshi Basistha of the Hindu Epic Ramayana who brought an end to his life in that very place where the present temple is now located. The place where the body of the sage took eternal rest attracts the visitors and tourists who come there to worship him. There are many sculptures which can be seen in the place as well as by the side of the tri-juncture of the hill streams i.e. Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta.

VISITING HOURS:

6:00 AM TO 7:00 PM DAILY