Pingleswar Ardhnareswa Devalaya: An ancient Shaivate temple obscured by neglect

Pingleswar Ardhnareswa Devalaya: An ancient Shaivate temple obscured by neglect

A Correspondent

TANGLA: Over a century ago, the colonial historian Edward Gait, who compiled the first compendium of history in modern Assam, lamented the fact that ‘…there is probably no part of India regarding whose past less is generally known. In the histories of India, as a whole, Assam is least covered and only ten lines are devoted to its annals in the historical portion of William Wilson Hunter’s work The Indian Empire.’

Despite the passage of decades, Gait’s observations on the narrativization of Assam in popular Indian historiography remain true as ever. The State has often been termed as ‘Sankardev-Azaan ore dexh’ – the land of Sankardev and Azaan Fakir, two religious and cultural saints of medieval Assam responsible for altering its socio-religious landscape. Srimanta Sankardev inspired the Bhakti movement, while Azaan Fakir preached Sufi Islam. These syncretic traditions have been an intrinsic part of Assamese society, including its political and cultural milieus. Religious sites have also been a significant marker of this syncretism. There are many such stories across the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam, and one of them is found in the history of the ancient temple Pingleswar Ardhnareswa Devalaya, one of the ancient Shavaite temples on the north bank of the Brahmaputra located near Baihata Charali, 43 km away from State capital, Guwahati.

The name ‘Ardhnareswa’ literally means a joint temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati. It was constructed by King Indrapal of the Pal dynasty around 11-12 CE. Ahom King Shiva Singha had rebuilt it in 1661. Following archaeological survey in 1959, the temple was reconstructed again in 1962-70. The last jolt to the temple was in the 2009 earthquake. The magnificent temple spread across a sprawling campus of 13 bighas has a well-built sanctum which is deep underground like all ancient temples of Assam.

A temple of such historical significance is lying neglected and not many people of Assam are aware of its existence. On a recent visit to the temple, this correspondent met the temple management committee members to get an insight into the issues plaguing the temple.

“Hundreds of devotees from places like Tezpur, Nagaon, Palashbari, Nalbar and Guwahati visit the temple throughout the year,” said secretary Upen Sarma. He further stated that there was a need of a community hall for visitors while the park and the pond in the premises needed urgent attention and border fencing. “It is quite disheartening to note that a temple of such historical significance still lacks basic amenities like proper sanitation facilities, potable drinking water, solar lightning equipment and better road communication,” said a regular visitor and a Guwahati-based executive of Prasar Bharati, Aseem Kumar Kazi.

“The State government should seriously promote the temple as a potential tourist site and only then the temple will draw good revenue for sustenance,” said another devotee and Principal of Little Flower School, Nalbari, Bibha Buzurbaruah.

The temple is currently functioning with its head priest Pramod Sarma and four other working staff. “It is a matter of great dismay that the present politicians of the State pay more attention to xatras and give least attention to temples and Devalayas,” said Achyut Sarma, a villager.

Secretary Upen Sarma exhorted Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to make their maiden visit to the temple and seek blessings of Lord Shiva.

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