The Ugratara Devalaya temple is situated on the western side of the Jor Pukhury tanks in the Lotaxil (Latasil) locality, at the heart of Guwahati city in Assam. Dedicated to Goddess Ugra Tara, the temple holds a rich history and intriguing story.
History of Ugratara Devalaya
The original temple, no longer standing, had connections to
Goddess Sati. Legend has it that the navel of Sati fell at this site following
the notorious Daksha yajna. The current Ugra Tara temple was constructed in
1725 CE by Ahom King Siva Singha. This monarch had previously excavated the
Jorpukhuri tank three years before the temple's construction. Though a
devastating earthquake destroyed the upper part of the temple, a local resident
later undertook its reconstruction.
Story of Ugratara Devalaya
Ugratara Devalaya Temple In Assam – History And Story
The Ugratara Devalaya temple is situated on the western side
of the Jorpukhuri tanks in the Lotaxil (Latasil) locality, at the heart of
Guwahati city in Assam. Dedicated to Goddess Ugra Tara, the temple holds a rich
history and intriguing story.
History of Ugratara Devalaya
The roots of the Ugratara Devalaya delve into antiquity, linking back to
the original temple associated with Goddess Sati. A tale echoing
through time narrates that the divine navel of Sati found its resting
place in this sacred ground after the tumultuous events of the Daksha
yajna. The current manifestation of the Ugra Tara temple, however, owes
its existence to the vision of Ahom King Siva Singha, who, in 1725 CE,
erected this spiritual haven. Three years prior, King Siva Singha had
orchestrated the creation of the Jorepukhuri tank, an architectural
marvel that still graces the eastern flank of the temple. Despite the
ravages of a formidable earthquake that obliterated the upper reaches of
the temple, a commendable act of restoration ensued, led by a devoted
local resident.
Story of Ugratara Devalaya
The narrative surrounding Ugratara Devalaya extends beyond
the physical realm, weaving a tapestry of mythology that captures the
imagination. In a time immemorial, Yama, the formidable deity presiding over
death and hell, raised an unusual grievance. It was said that the sacred aura
of Kamarupa, the region encompassing the temple, thwarted sinners from entering
the underworld. This cosmic complaint journeyed from Yama to Brahma, from
Brahma to Vishnu, and finally reached the ears of Shiva. Responding to the
celestial entreaty, Shiva, the Supreme Being, issued a divine decree to Goddess
Ugra Tara. Her mission: to displace the inhabitants of Kamakhya, a task she
undertook with her celestial army.
In the course of this celestial expedition, the forces of
Ugra Tara encountered the venerable Rishi Vasishtha in deep meditation at
Sandhyachal. Incensed by the disruption of his spiritual contemplation,
Vasishtha, in a moment of divine ire, cast a potent curse upon both Ugra Tara
and Shiva. This transformative curse altered the spiritual landscape of
Kamarupa, leading to the abandonment of Vedic (Shiva) sadhanas in favor of
Vamachara sadhana. Ugra Tara, once a deity associated with conventional practices,
now embraced a different aspect, and her entire celestial retinue underwent a
metamorphosis into Mlechhas, embodying a paradigm shift in the spiritual
currents of the region.
In the garbhagriha of Ugratara temple there is no image of the Goddess. A small pit filled with water is worshipped as the Goddess. There is a Shivalaya beside Ugratara Devalaya and a pond behind the temple.