Temples of Guwahati
Purva Tirupati Balaji Temple
At a distance of 9 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Tirupati Sri Balaji Mandir is a Temple situated at Ahom Gaon area of Guwahati. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, sprawling over 2 acres. This temple is built on a similar architecturalal pattern of Dravidian (South Indian) temples.
The temple consists Rajagopuram (70 feet in height), a Maha Mandapam, a Ardha Mandapam with a Sanctorum.
There is a temple of Lambodar at the entrance of the complex. The main temple houses Venkateshwara. The deity inside the sanctum sanctorum is carved out of a single stone that weighs more than 4 tonnes. Besides, there are also the temples of Goddess Padmavati and Garuda- the vahana of Lord Balaji. A recent addition to the temple complex is the Yagasala that has been built in a traditional style to for devotees to perform Yagnas.
Basistha Ashram Temple
At a distance of 14 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Basistha Temple is another significant temple at Beltola in the southeast corner of Guwahati city.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Basistha Temple is situated within the Basistha Ashram. The temple was constructed by Ahom King Rajeswar Singha in 1764 CE. who gifted 835 Bigha of land. According to some religious texts, sage Vasistha created this ashram.
The temple is built in typical Kamrup architectural style. Lord Shiva is consecrated within the sanctum in the form of a linga. The temple is on the bank of river Basistha, a mountain stream that originates from the hills of Meghalaya. The ashram has a cave where Sage Vasistha had meditated. One can also visit the Basistha Ganesha Temple.