12/15/2020
Shivadhol of Negheriting
|| Negheriting Doul ||
Built by the Kacharis in 8th-9th A.D ( Pre Ahom) the Negheriting temple (Doul) is dedicated to Lord Shiva and located in Dergaon, Golaghat district of Assam. The temple is also known as "The Panchayatana Temple" as the main templ for Shiva is surrounded by four corner shrines /Doul dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Surya, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Durga. A Banalinga of 3 feet diameter is established in the main temple.
The actual temple is dated 8th-9th A.D ( Pre Ahom) built by the Kacharis. The present form of the temple was constructed under the reign of Ahom King Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha (1751-1769) in the later part of the 18th Century, after the original structure was devastated by natural calamities. A famous architect, Ghanasyam Khonikar, was given the responsibility of building the temple. Situated at the bank of river Dihing this holy place attracts most of the visitors throughout the year especially in winter. This Sivadol is a famous tourist spot at Dergaon and is situated on a hillock.
The stones that were used to construct the temple were taken from the bank of river Dihing. Due to natural calamities the temple was destroyed and the remains were in deep forest called Gajapanemara. When Ahom king Susenpha knew about the ruined temple and the Shivalinga he rebuilt the temple on the same foundation and established the linga.
After that, when the Dihing River changed the flow, again the temple was destroyed and submerged into the river water. A devotee of Shiva found the place known as Sheetal Negheri that was the ruined temple and the Shivalinga in the shallow water of river Dihing. It was brought by Ahom King Rajeswar Singha from the river and installed inside the reconstructed temple. According to legend a Rishi named Urba wanted to establish a second Kashi right on this place for which he collected lots of Shivalingas there.
The place where the temple is located had once a bird locally known as Negheri and the place has come to be known as Negheriting. The monkeys are also one of the attractions of the temple. The temple is the house of the rhesus monkeys where a sizeable population of this species is there.
A priest named Bhudhar Agamacharji was appointed by king Rajeswar Singha for proper maintenance of the temple and also for the rituals to be performed. The Agamacharji family still performs worship and other maintenance works regularly. Customs of performing songs and dances called Deonati were prominent there in the temple.
Information from Google
Images courtesy Akaash Ranjan Phukan
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