HAJO Assam

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1. Hajo is 32 kms from Guwahati. U see Hayagriva Madhav Mandir. It is Hajo’s oldest temple built by the Pala rulers in the 6th century on Manikuta hill. The sanctum enshrines Pancha Madhav or the five forms of Vishnu. Buddhists also consider the temple sacred as they believe it was the site of Buddha’s parinirvana.

2. A portion of the original temple exists in the building currently seen that was made in 1583. Architecture is similar to the decorative style of the temple at Ellora. It is one of the oldest centres of the worship of Vishnu AND Buddhist worldwide flock here for what they call the image of Buddha or ‘Mahamuni’.

3. Side view of temple. Small images not of much architectural value. Temple base has elephants like one sees in Kailasa Temple Ellora or Buddhist caves at Ellora.

4. Close up of decorated elephants.

5. Not sure what this is and whether it is related to Buddha. Some say ‘Nagarjuna, another disciple of Mahayana Buddhism, is said to have erected a stupa (caitya) in memory of Guru Rinpoche in Hajo around the 1st or 2nd century AD.’

6. Ruins of temple. Behind railing is a big hall and then entry to sanctum. I visited about 8.30 am, there was nobody except pandits.

7. Steps that lead from temple to entrance. It was cloud and cold when I reached. Below is a huge water tank that you can see in pic.

8. Water tank at temple base. Reminded me of tanks in temples of South India.

9. Close up is Ganesh Mandir. Only the devout should visit. On my return visited Sualkuchi, one of India’s largest weaving villages. Do see Sualkuchi Sari pictures on site state Assam.

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