Madan Kamdev Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Guwahati is served by LGB International Airport, which lies to the west of the city.

• By train

  Baihata Railway Station is 3 km from the town centre of Baihata Chariali.

• By road

  The site is about 40 km from Guwahati. Baihata Chariali is on National Highway 27 and is connected with nearby towns such as Rangia, Nalbari and Guwahati.

Why devotees come here

Madan Kamdev is an archaeological site in Baihata Chariali, Kamrup district, Assam. Its carved stones show Shiva and Parvati embracing as Uma and Maheshwar. The site is known for a legend about Kamdev, the deity of love, who was restored to life here.

Legend says Kamdev, the deity of love, angered Shiva. Parvati restored him to life, and he regained his form at this spot, giving rise to the Assamese name Kamarupa. One account says Shiva burnt Kamdev to cinders, and that Madan was reborn here.

The place is dated to the 9th and 10th century, and its excavated ruins are linked to the Pala dynasty. In 1977 the Archaeological Directorate of Assam took over the area. Besides the main temple, it found the ruins of 12 more temples, spread over about 500 metres in a secluded place.

The carvings give the site its character. Dancing nymphs, gods, goddesses and lovers are carved on the stones, which earned it the nickname Khajuraho of the East. Excavated sculptures include a six-headed Bhairav, a four-headed Shiva and a six-headed Vishnu. Analysis of the temples and the idols on their walls led excavators to date the temples to the 10th to 12th centuries.

Tips for your visit

• Gopeshwar, an old Shiva temple, is in the village of Deuduar, near the site.
• Nearby is a large cave called Parvati Guha, named after Shiva's consort.

Questions people ask