Sukreswar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, in Borjhar, is about 20 km west of the city centre.

• By train

  Guwahati railway station, in the Paltan Bazaar area, is the busiest railway station in the city.

Why devotees come here

Sukreswar Temple is an important Shiva temple on the south bank of the Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Assam. It is known for one of the largest lingams of Shiva, and it draws large numbers of devotees, especially at Shivratri. The temple stands on Sukreswar or Itakhuli hill in the Panbazar locality.

Sukreswar Temple is an important Shiva temple in Assam, with one of the largest lingams of Shiva. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and was built by an Ahom king. It stands on the Sukreswar or Itakhuli hill, on the south bank of the Brahmaputra river, in the Panbazar locality of Guwahati. It is one of the major tourist magnets of the area.

The temple is believed to have been built in 1744 by the Ahom king Pramatta Singha, who ruled until 1751. Later, King Rajeswar Singha, who also promoted the worship of Shiva, made financial provisions for the temple in 1759. He gave large donations and grants for its upkeep.

Guwahati lies between the Brahmaputra and the foothills of the Shillong plateau. Pan Bazaar, the locality where the temple stands, is part of the city centre. A long flight of steps leads down from the temple compound to the river. The Assam State Museum and the District Library are historic buildings in the same area.

Festivals

• February and MarchMaha Shivaratri

  Large numbers of devotees visit the temple, especially during Shivratri. Ardent devotees stay awake throughout the night. The festival is held each year to worship Shiva.

Tips for your visit

• Sit on the steps of the Sukreswar ghat to watch the sun set over the river.
• From the lawns on Itakhuli hill you can see Uma Nanda Temple on Peacock island, in the middle of the river.
• The lawns behind the DC Bungalow on Itakhuli hill give a wide view of the river and the Kamakhya hills.

Questions people ask