Kamrup district General information
Kamrup district was an administrative district in the state of Assam in India, named after Kamarupa, a name by which Assam was previously known in ancient times. The district, however, is now a small western part of Assam, with a distinctive native Kamrupi culture and dialect (both known as Kamrupi).
History
The Present Assam was referred to as Kamrup in many of the ancient Indian literature. It was also known as Pragjyotishpur due to the astrology (Jyotish Shashtra) practices that prevailed in this part of the country during that time. However, "Kamrup" became a more predominant name in the later part of the history. There is a famous story which says the reason behind the naming of this place "Kamrup":
Lord "Shiva" married Parvati, the daughter of Daksha, a very powerful king of that time. The King however, did not like his son-in-law for some reasons and hence did not invite him for the "Jagna" (the great sacrifice) ceremony which the king organised in a great fashion. Parvati being the daughter of the king could not resist from attending the ceremony and went there with the permission from her husband. As she reached the auspicious venue, "Daksha" did pass on derogatory comments on her husband and that too in front of a huge gathering. She became very annoyed and got disgusted at the discourtesy shown to her husband and sacrificed her life on the spot itself.
Overcome with grief at the death of Sati (Parvati), Shiva began a grim penance and wandered about the world carrying her dead body on his head. Shiva's 'dance of death' and penance alarmed all the gods because it threatened to destroy the world. In order to stop the frightful wanderings of Shiva, the supreme god, Vishnu, cut the dead body of Sati into fifty- one pieces with his great weapon, the "Shudarshan Chakra" (Discus). The pieces fell onto the earth in fifty one different places and wherever they fell, the ground was held to be sacred. One of the important organs of Sati fell on Nilachal hill in Guwahati and the place was thenceforth held sacred and it says that the famous Kamakhya Temple was originated from that "Sati's" organ only.
As Shiva continued to do penance, the other gods became afraid that he would thereby acquire universal power. They sent Kamadeva, the God of Love, to make Shiva fall in love again, and thereby break his penance. Kamdeva succeeded in his mission, but Shiva was so enraged at the result that he burnt Kamadeva into ashes by a fiery glance of his third eye. Kamadeva eventually regained his life and his original 'form' (Rupa) in Assam and the land where this took place become known as "Kamrup" ("Kamarupa").
Geography
Kamrup District is situated between 25.46 and 26.49 North Latitude and between 90.48 & 91.50 East Longitude.
The District is bounded by :-
North - Udalguri and Baska District
South - Meghalaya
East - Darrang District and Kamrup Metropolitan District
West - Goalpara District and Nalbari District.
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CLIMATE
Climate : Sub tropical with semi -dry summer & cold in winter.
Annual Rainfall : Ranges between 1500 mm to 2600 mm.
Natural Calamity : Flood occurs generally in the low lying areas of the district during May to August every year. Late flood during the later part of September & October also occurs. The occurrence of flood in the district is due to the river Brahmaputra and its Tributaries.
Average humidity : 75%
Max. Temperature : 38.5 C.
Min. Temperature : 7 .C.
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Rivers
* Brahmaputra
* Puthimari
* Bornoi
* Nona
* Kulsi
* Pagladiya
* Kalajal
Tourist Place
Kamakhya Temple: It is located in Guwahati on the top of Nilachal hill which is 160 metres high. This hill has a group of ancient temples, the most famous of which is the Kamakhya temple. This temple is considered as the greatest of all the Shaktipithas in India. Around this shrine the small township of Kamakhya has sprung up. Kamakhya is known for its rare natural beauty and one can enjoy an arial view of the city of Guwahati and the mighty river Brahmaputra flowing below.
Geeta Mandir: The Geeta Mandir is located on a hill contiguous to the New Guwahati Railway Marshalling yard. It is approachable from the Zoo-Narengi Road. The architecture of the temple is unique in itself and is in the shape of a chariot, indicating the Divine Chariot that Lord SriKrishna rode in the epic war Mahabharata.
Aswaklanta: It is a small hill lying on the North bank of the Brahmaputra river. To the Hindus, particularly for the Vaishnavites, this place has a lot of religious importance and to the non believers it is a treasure of scenic beauty. It is associated with the mythical story of SriKrishna – Rukmini. The hill has two Vishnu temples known as Kurmayanardan and Anantasayi-Vishnu. Ideally located on the bank of the river, it is linked by regular ferry services with the south bank. It can be reached by road across the Saraighat bridge.
Balaji Temple: It is located in Guwahati in Lokhra area near the National highway 37. This temple has been constructed in tune with the South Indian temples.
Navagraha: It is located on a hilltop close to Silpukhuri. It is approachable by a pitched road. Worship of planets to ward off evil is prevalent here.
Basistha Ashram: Situated on the southern border of the city in the midst of lofty hills, this site is known for its scenic beauty and a historical temple. There is a hilly brook, which welcomes a large number of daily visitors
Sukreswar & Janardan : These two temples are located at Panbazar by the side of the Brahmaputra, built during the reign of Swargadev Pramatta Sinha (AD 1744-51).
Dirgheswari Temple : Located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra and linked by a motorable road, this shrine is considered as one of the supreme Devi Tirthas of the state. Isolated and lying at the foot of a range of hills, it has several rock cut images which can be traced to the 11th to 12th century A.D. This is one of the few temples where buffalo sacrifice is done annually during Durga Puja.
Umananda Temple: Greater Guwahati contains three islands in the midst of the Brahmaputra known as Umananda (Peacock Island), Urvashi and Karmanasa, the first one being the biggest of the three. On the top of Umananda island exists three temples - Umananda, Chandrsekhar and Hargauri. These temples contain rock-cut sculptures and carvings.
Poa Macca: It is a place of pilgrimage for the Muslims and is located at Hajo, a small town near Guwahati. It is believed that by offering prayers here the faithfuls gain one fourth of the spiritual enlightenment of what could be gained at Mecca. Hence the name - "poa" meaning one-fourth.
Hayagriva-Madhab Temple: It is situated thirty two Km. From Guwahati at Hajo, a small town near Guwahati, where the three religions - Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism meet. Hayagriva Madhab Temple is an important place for Hindus and Buddhists.
Assam State Museum: Situated on the South of the Dighalipukhuri, this museum is the oldest institution of its kind in Northeast India. It is a multipurpose museum, but its sculptural assortment is the richest.
Cottage Industry Museum: It is a small museum situated in the Ambari area and under the management of the Industris Department of the State Government. The objects on display cover many colourful items from the Satriya culture and indigenous art and craft. It’s only five minutes walk from the Assam State Museum.
Regional Science Centre & Museum: Located at Khanapara this museum is the only science museum of the state. Apart from galleries full of scientific gadgets, this institution imparts science education to the student community.