To properly set the mood for futuristic utopia, combine the
elements of winter season and coldness in Guwahati, we planned to visit Peacock
Island, the crown of The Brahmaputra.
We started our journey to the Island at dawn through different
transits. First we reached Basistha Chariyali( Junction) by cycle
rickshaw, and from there we travelled in
private bus to Paltan bazar, from there we
walked to reach Brahmaputra river jetty where we had to take a boat to reach
the Island.
We managed to get a separate
boat for 7 of us. Boatmen agreed to take us in his big motor boat by charging
100 INR per head; they also told us that it would take around half an hour to
reach the Island from the river jetty.
Adding to the fear of flood in The
Brahmaputra, water level was high enough and there were many high current whirlpools.
After a fun filled journey of half an hour, we reached the Island. We could see
the peacock shaped island after we were half way through.
After reaching the destination, we dated with nature for some
time and enjoyed the beauty of Brahmaputra.
After that we made a visit to god Umananda temple, a Shiva Temple which is
located at the Peacock Island in middle of river Brahmaputra,
built by the Ahom King Gadadhar
Singha.
Shiva is said to have resided here in the form of
Bhayananda. According to the Kalika Purana, in the beginning of the creation
Shiva sprinkled ashes (bhasma) at this place and imparted knowledge to Parvathi
(his consort). It is said that, when Shiva was in meditation on this hillock,
Kamadeva interrupted his yoga and was therefore burnt to ashes by the fire of
Shiva’s anger and hence the hillock got the name Bhasmacala. This mountain is
also called Bhasmakuta. The Kalika Purana states that Urvasikunda is situated
here and here resides the goddess Urvasi who brings Amrit (nectar) for the
enjoyment of Kamakhya and hence the island got the name Urvasi Island.
The priest in the temple asked us to chant some mantra but
we were not able to understand their language and as usual like other priest,
they demanded us to put some dakshina (Donation) and we witnessed one among the
rarest species of monkeys, The Golden Langur.
After visiting the temples, we started taking pictures in different
corners to capture the beauty of sunset in The Brahmaputra. Wish we had a high
resolution camera with us, no offense; we managed to take good enough display
pictures.
After spending 2 to 3 hours in peacock island finally we
said goodbye to Peacock Island. We all set our journey back to main city in
same old luxury boat with same boatmen enjoying sunset.
To know more about Peacock Island visit Umananda Island
Map :
