Umananda Island

Umananda Island is the smallest inhabited river islet in the middle of river Brahmaputra, flowing through the city of Guwahati in Assam.

A British officer named the island Peacock Island for its structure, which he thought resembled the splayed feathers of a peacock.

It is visited mostly for its Shiva temple, the Umananda Temple.

It's also a home to a large population of golden langurs, an endangered species of primate.

The islet can be reached via 10-minute ferry, available from Umananda Ghat, located near Guwahati Highcourt.

According to Hindu mythology, Shiva created the island for his wife Parvati's happiness and pleasure.

In 1897, an earthquake damaged the temple heavily, but was later repaired by a local merchant.

The temple displays mixture of both Hindu Vaishnavism and Shaivism.

There are Assamese craftings of Ganesha, Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, and other Hindu deities.

Umananda Temple is situated on a hill called Bhasmacala in Umananda Island.

Umananda Island is also called as 'Bhasmachal' because it is believed that Lord Shiva burnt Kamdev.

Maha Shivaratri is widely celebrated in Umananda.

Monday is considered to be the holiest day in the temple and the new moon brings bliss to the pilgrims.

The island is dotted with Tamarind trees.

Motor Boat services start from 7am and ends at 5pm.