Day 3 of 3, the Shakti Pitha Yatra

Day 3

It has been about a week since this day. Apologies for the delay. Here goes the writeup.

Previous posts –

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The Day 3 was again in Guhuwati. We were staying in the Hotel Rajmahal, Assam Trunk Road. A reasonably big hotel. Nice banquets were arranged by the organisers for dinner, breakfast & lunch. While the rooms weren’t `posh` as the Agartala hotel, this location seemed ideal for us to travel to all the planned places in Guhuwati.

On day 3, there were two temples planned (1) Umananda temple (2) Ugratara temple.

After our early breakfast, by about 8AM, we boarded our bus towards the Ghat. At the Ghat, the government ferry would take us to the Umananda island (peacock island) where the temple resides. Ticket fee was nominal. This island is situated on the Bramhaputra river. It is known as the smallest inhabited riverine island in the world. The heat & humidity were high. The ride was about 15 mins. On reaching the island, we had to climb about 150 steps to reach the temple.

It was a Sunday, the crowd was just starting to gather. The Darshan took more time than anticipated. The place is at least 500 years old. At the Garbha griha one has to climb down the stairs in a dark place with only diyas with two temple priests. The Darshans are not efficient. Maybe by design? It takes about at least a minute for each Darshan. The Shivalinga was adorned with flowers. Diyas and incense around. The priests chanting mantras for Umanath’s blessings. After the Darshana, I spent sometime in silence – while other members of the group finished theirs.

We were asked to ferry back and reach the hotel and checkout. It was over 1130AM. Checkout time. After checking out, we kept our luggages in the lobby and got into bus again to the Ugratara temple.

Ugra – ferocious. Tara – Star or saviour. Ugratara is the ferocious form of the Tara goddess. Tara is one of the Dasha Mahavidyas (Ten Great Wisdoms). I visit the temple & was surprised to see there is a small pit filled with water in the Garbha Griha. There is no image or idol of the goddess. The water is considered as the Goddess.

For every kind of personality, for every kind of goal, there is a diety. That way, Santana Dharma is the most democratic of the religions. While it might seem like polytheism (belief in many Gods), it is not. The same supreme consciousness takes the form to help the devotee.

There is a temple in Chennai – Visa Ganapathi temple – the diety which is supposed to help you with the Visa. When interviews are set in the Chennai US consulate for a US Visa, I’ve heard applicants visit this temple to pray for the Visa process to go smoothly and the Visa is issued.

Many years before when I’d heard about it, I said – What nonsense!

Now this has changed for me.

Land problems? There is a diety. Health? A diety. Another diety for fertility. A diety for rains. Every application, every geographical area, there are specific deities with specific purpose and nature.

Majority of the Hindu schools of philosophy believe in the single source or the Adi Parashakti or Brahman which is the source and gets manifested as different forms.

This is beautiful!

Every human has a different problem, a different purpose , different desires – why would he/she relate to God the same way? Why should they pray the same way? Not necessary. Every human has a different way of expressing love, a different way of connection.

Isn’t that beautiful and compassionate if the God manifests in a way that’s suitable to the individual?

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Overall, the experience was positive. My appreciation has increased for the Sanatana Dharma – the Indian thought. Following are some photos from the Yatra. Let me know if you have any questions.

Photo: Ticket for the Kamakhya Darshan