About Umananda Temple
Umananda Temple is a Shiva temple on Umananda, or Peacock Island, a small rocky island in the Brahmaputra opposite Guwahati's Kachari Ghat. It sits on a hillock known as Bhasmakuta, linked by legend to the story of Shiva reducing Kamadeva to ashes. The name combines Uma, another name for Shiva's consort, with ananda, meaning happiness. The island is often described as one of the smallest inhabited river islands in the world. The temple was built in 1694 by Garhganya Handique, the Bar Phukan, on the orders of the Ahom king Gadadhar Singha. It was badly damaged in the great Assam earthquake of 1897 and later rebuilt by a local merchant. Along with Shiva, images of other Hindu deities are housed in the shrine. Much of the appeal is the journey itself: a short boat ride across the Brahmaputra gives views of the river and the Guwahati waterfront. Mahashivaratri is the main festival here and draws large crowds.
What to expect at Umananda Temple
Ferry: Government and private boats cross from Kachari Ghat; the ride takes about 10–15 minutes. Government boats are cheaper, while private boats leave more often and cost more. Climb: From the landing, a flight of steps leads up to the temple on the hillock. Darshan: The shrine is small and darshan is usually quick outside festival days. Festivals: Mahashivaratri brings long lines and busy boats. Facilities: Expect basic facilities on the island; carry water. Boat services can be suspended in bad weather or high water.
Visitor Information
Best Time to Visit
October to April; morning to early afternoon
October to April is the best period, with calmer river conditions and pleasant weather. During the monsoon (roughly June to September) the Brahmaputra runs high and ferry services can be reduced or suspended. Mahashivaratri (February or March) is the main festival and the busiest day. Ferry hours vary by operator and season; sources broadly place services between morning and about 4–5 PM, so go in the morning or early afternoon and confirm the last return boat at the ghat.
Getting There
Boats to Umananda leave from Kachari Ghat on the Brahmaputra riverfront, near the Deputy Commissioner's office in the Uzan Bazar–Panbazar area.
Boats to Umananda leave from Kachari Ghat on the Brahmaputra riverfront, near the Deputy Commissioner's office in the Uzan Bazar–Panbazar area. The ghat is about 2–3 km from Guwahati railway station and roughly 20–25 km from Guwahati airport, typically 45–75 minutes by road depending on traffic. From the ghat, take a government or private ferry for the 10–15 minute crossing, then walk up the steps to the temple. If you are travelling between Guwahati and Shillong, a private cab booked with Tour Meghalaya can drop you at the ghat as a stop on the way.
Entry & Duration
Plan about 1.5–2 hours in total, including the boat crossing both ways, waiting for a ferry and time at the temple.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to reach Umananda Temple?
Go to Kachari Ghat on the Guwahati riverfront and take a government or private ferry across the Brahmaputra to Peacock Island. The crossing takes about 10–15 minutes, followed by a short climb up steps to the temple.
Umananda temple ferry timings
Sources differ, but ferries generally run from morning until about 4–5 PM, with government boats keeping shorter hours than private ones. Services can stop in bad weather, so check at Kachari Ghat.
Umananda temple timings
Most sources give temple hours of about 5:30 AM to 6 PM daily, but in practice your visit is limited by ferry hours.
How far is Umananda Temple from Guwahati railway station?
Kachari Ghat, where the ferries leave, is about 2–3 km from Guwahati railway station, a short drive through the city centre.
Who built Umananda Temple?
It was built in 1694 by the Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique on the orders of Ahom king Gadadhar Singha, and rebuilt after the 1897 earthquake damaged it.
