Surya Pahar

A relatively unknown archaeological site of great spiritual importance from the 1st century BC to at least the 13th century AD, Surya Pahar is once again becoming a place of pilgrimage. Located adjacent to the great Brahmaputra River, approximately 10 miles southeast of the small town of Goalpara and 80 miles west of Guwahati, Surya Pahar was once regionally famous as a holy place of the three religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

In the 1st century BC, Hinayana Buddhists began to carve religious symbols on the granite boulders and cave walls at Surya Pahar. By the 9th century, Hindus and Jains were continuing this practice. Between the 9th and 12th centuries, several monasteries and temples were constructed, such as the now partially excavated Hindu Panchayatana temple, which contained images of the Sun god Surya, Vishnu, the goddess Durga as Mahishasuramardini, and Ganesh. Notably, the site's name, Sri Surya Pahar, means 'sacred hill of the sun,' and the primary deity worshipped in the Panchayatana temple was Surya, the god of the Sun. Scattered around the sacred hill are hundreds of Shiva Lingas carved upon granite boulders, giving evidence of the importance of the site as a Hindu pilgrimage center. In the later years of the 12th century, during the final period of the Sena dynasty, the region declined, and pilgrims visited Surya Pahar less and less. In the 20th century, a small Surya temple was built, and during the Magh Purnima festival (January - February), many thousands of pilgrims flock to the site. The Archaeological Survey of India conducted several excavations during the early 2000s and established a small museum containing various artifacts discovered during the excavations.

For additional information:

• List of India Sacred Sites