Hayagriva Madhava Temple

Hayagriva Madhava Temple
Hayagriva Madhava Temple
Geography
Country	India
State/province	Assam
District	Kamrup
Locale	Hajo
Culture
Primary deity	Jagannath, Buddha
Important festivals	Doul Utsav, Bihu, Janmastami
History and governance
Creator	Urbarishi Reconstructed by: Raghudeva Narayan

Hayagriva Madhava Temple (Assamese: হয়গ্ৰীৱ মাধৱ মন্দিৰ) is situated on the Monikut hill. The hill is situated in Hajo of Assam which is around 30 km to west of Guwahati. The present temple structure was constructed by the King Raghudeva Narayan in 1583. According to some historians the King of Pala dynasty constructed it in 6th century. It is a stone temple and it enshrines an image of Hayagriva Madhava. Some Buddhists believe that the Hayagriva Madhava temple, best known in the group of Hindu temples, is where the Buddha attained Nirvana. At this imposing temple, the presiding deity is worshipped as the Narasimha incarnation of Vishnu by the Hindus. The rows of elephants are seen on the body of the temple and they are fine specimens of Assamese art. There is a big pond known as Madhab Pukhuri near the temple. Doul, Bihu and Janmastami festivals are celebrated every year in the temple. Moreover, this temple preaches both Hinduism and Buddhism, which attract Buddhist Monks from far flung places. Sayani, the first wife of Kalia Bhomora Borphukan donated a family of paiks and also a plot of land for their maintenance to the Hayagriva Madhava temple during the reign of Ahom king Kamaleswar Singha.