https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Sivasagar_SivadolSivasagar Sivadol - Revision history2026-09-07T00:21:40ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sivasagar_Sivadol&diff=418798&oldid=prevAjay Kumar: Created a new article2023-08-25T20:13:58Z<p>Created a new article</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|Hindu temple in India}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}<br />
{{Infobox Hindu temple<br />
| name = Shivadol<br />
| image = Siva Dol.JPG<br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = Sivasagar Sivadol (Temple)<br />
| map_type = <br />
| map_caption = Location in Assam<br />
| coordinates = {{coord|26.9888|94.6313|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}<br />
| country = India<br />
| state = [[Assam]]<br />
| district = [[Sivasagar district]]<br />
| location = Sivasagar<br />
| elevation_m = <br />
| deity = [[Shiva]]<br />
| festivals = [[Mahashivaratri]]<br />
| architecture = Ahom architecture<br />
| temple_quantity = 3<br />
| monument_quantity = <br />
| inscriptions = <br />
| year_completed = 1734<br />
| creator = Bar Raja Ambika<br />
| website = <br />
}}<br />
'''Shiva dol''' (meaning the temple of the Lord [[Shiva]]) is a group of structures comprising three [[Hindu temple]]s of Sivadol, '''Vishnudol''' (meaning temple of the Lord [[Vishnu]]) and Devidol (means temple of the Goddess Devi [[Durga]] in the local Assamese language) shrines, and a museum. These are located on the banks of the Sivasagar ("the ocean of the god [[Shiva]]") tank, also known as the [[Sivasagar Tank (Borpukhuri)|Borpukhuri tank]], in the heart of [[Sivasagar]], in the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Assam]]. The tank was constructed between 1731 and 1738 and the temples were built in 1734 by [[Ambika, Bar Raja|Bar Raja Ambika]], queen of [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom]] king Swargadeo [[Siva Singha]] (1714–1744).<ref name =Assam>{{cite book|title=Assam Travel Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lNggfFifHL8C&pg=PA108|year=2011|publisher=Goodearth Publications|isbn=978-93-80262-04-8|pages=108–109}}</ref>{{Sfn|Barua|2014|p=27}}{{Sfn|Bhattacharya|2004|p=102}}<ref name=Dol>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sivasagar.gov.in/Districtpage/visit.htm|title= Sivasagar|publisher=National Informatics Centre}}</ref><ref name="Shiva dole">{{cite web|title=Shiva Dole|url=http://onlinesivasagar.com/tourism/Shiva_Dole.htm|access-date=9 January 2013}}</ref> The height of the Sivadol (''dol'' means temple in Assamese) is {{convert|104|ft|m}} and the perimeter is {{convert|195|ft|m}} at the base. It is crowned with an {{convert|8|ft|adj=on}} high golden-dome.<ref name =Assam/><br />
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==Location==<br />
[[File:Shiv Temple - Assam.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Side view of Sivasagar Sivadol]]<br />
Sivasagar Sivadol is located at 26°59'18"N and 94°37'59"E, in the heart of the Sivasagar city, which was known earlier as [[Sibsagar]] in the [[Sibsagar district]] of [[Upper Assam]] in [[Northeast India]]. The city is easily accessible by road, rail and air services. [[Guwahati]], the capital of Assam, is {{convert|370|km}} away to its northwest and regular deluxe buses operate from here. Sivasagar has a railway station. The nearest airport is at [[Jorhat]], which is {{convert|55|km}} away.<ref name="Assam"/><ref name=Dol/><br />
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==History==<br />
Sivsagar, present day Sivasagar, was the capital of [[Ahom kingdom]]. The [[Ahom people|Ahoms]] had migrated from [[South China]] in 1228 and established their first capital at [[Charaideo]] {{convert|28|km}} from present day Sivasagar in 1253. Initially they were / Ancestor worshippers close what we see in Taoism and Shinto, and very much a part of the practices till date [[Buddhists]] some of the practices of Mahayana and Theravada school of thoughts, though [[Hinduism]] came to prevail.{{Sfn|Betts|McCulloch|2014|p=364}} It was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom till the [[British Raj]] was established in India. The tank was constructed between 1731 and 1738 and the temples were built in 1734 by [[Ambika, Bar Raja|Bar Raja Ambika]], queen of Ahom king [[Sutanphaa|Swargadeo Siba Singha]].<ref name="Shiva dole"/><br />
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==Sivasagar tank==<br />
[[File:Sibsagar .jpg|right|thumb|350px|Night view of the Sivasagar lake with the three temples of Sivadol (highest temple in India in the middle), Vishnudol and Devidol, on its bank]]<br />
The Sivsagar tank was built by [[Ambika, Bar Raja|Bar Raja Ambika]], the chief consort of [[Siva Singha]] in 1733. A battle was fought against the [[Moamoria rebellion|Moamoria rebels]] In its vicinity in the reign of [[Gaurinath Singha]].The Sivasagar tank, also known as the Borpukhuri tank, was built by constructing embankments and the water level thus created in the lake remains above the adjoining ground level. The lake has a total area of {{convert|257|acre|ha|adj=on}} with a water spread of {{convert|129|acre|ha|adj=on}}. It is said that the lake water remains stable throughout the year without any fluctuations even during the monsoon months. The depth of water in the lake is {{convert|27|ft}}. Many notable structures have been built on the banks of the lake. Three Hindu temples Sivadol, Visnudol and Devidol, a Buddhist shrine and a bird watching tower to watch wintering birds visiting the area, are located on its east bank. The Tai Museum located on the west bank of the tank is built with red bricks. A church and two mosques are also located on the bank of the tank.{{Sfn|Barua|2014|p=27}}<ref name="Assam"/>{{Sfn|Betts|McCulloch|2014|p=364}}<br />
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==Sivadol==<br />
[[File:Carving depicting the Durga slaying Mahishasura, on the walls of Sibodol temple, Sibsagar.jpg|right|thumb|Carving depicting the [[Durga]] slaying the demon Mahishasura, on the walls of Sivadol temple]]<br />
The Sivadol or Shiva temple, built in the [[Hindu temple architecture#Nagara (नागर) architecture|Shikhara architecture]]{{Sfn|Knapp|2009|p=806}} (more specifically Ahom temple architecture), has a central tower which is said to be the tallest Shiva temple tower in India at a height of {{convert|104|ft|m}}.<ref name =Assam/> The base of the temple measures {{convert|195|ft|m|abbr=on}} in circumference.<ref name =Assam/> The temple is built with stone and bricks. Inside the [[Garbhagriha]] ([[sanctum sanctorum]]), the [[Shiva Linga]] (aniconic symbol of Shiva) is deified, which is in a reverse setting. The [[Sikhara|Shikhara]] or Vimana (temple tower), which rises above the sanctum sanctorum, has a four-tiered, {{convert|8|ft}} ''mastaka'' and is crowned by a [[kalasha]] made of gold. The tower itself is built with parallel ridges and furrows. The lower part of the tower is flanked by four smaller identical towers, which are known as the ''angashikaras''. The garbagriha, where the main deity is deified in the form of a reversed Shiva linga, is interconnected with an [[antarala]], a small antechamber, which has a roof known as ''[[do-chala]]'', which is akin to a typical hut built in Assam. The antarala is also connected to one of the [[mandapa]]s (outdoor halls). The exterior walls of the temple are embellished with sculptures and floral designs set in [[Bas-relief]].<ref name =Assam/><br />
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Some of the unique sculptures set on the outer walls of the temple are of the goddess [[Durga]], which are seen carved with 2 arms, 4 arms, 6 arms, 10 arms and 16 arms.{{Sfn|Session|2000|pp=19–20}} The sixteen armed Durga holding various weapons is a "pan-Himalayan" theme adopted in [[plastic arts]] of Ahom temple architecture. Durga is depicted decimating [[Mahishasura]], the demon king with a buffalo head, by thrusting a spear. She is riding a lion, her mount, which supports her in the fight with the demon.{{Sfn|Bernier|1997|p=26}} This feature represents the harmonious blend of Brahminical [[Hindu culture]] with the [[Shaktism]] cult which the royalty of [[Ahom dynasty]] had adopted as their religious practice throughout their kingdom.{{Sfn|Session|2000|pp=19–20}}<br />
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==Visnudol and Devidol==<br />
Sivadol is surrounded by two subsidiary temples Vishnudol (spelt as Bishnudol) and Devidol which are architecturally similar to the larger Shiva temple.<ref name =Assam/> Vishnudol is dedicated to the God [[Vishnu]];<ref name =Assam/> Devidol, also known as Joidol,{{Sfn|Barua|1962|p=73}} is a Goddess Durga temple.<ref name =Assam/> While the Vishnu temple's tower has a honeycomb design with an ornamental criss-cross framework, the Durga temple's tower is designed, in its vertical elevation, with an undulating pattern. Besides these there is a temple of Ram and Hanuman.<ref name=Temple>{{cite book|title=The Journal of the Assam Research Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ol5DAAAAYAAJ|year=1983|publisher=Kāmarūpa Anusandhātower n Samiti|page=67}}</ref><br />
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==Festivals==<br />
Every year, during the [[Mahashivaratri]], a huge [[mela]] (fair) is organized in the Shiva temple and pilgrims visit from all parts of India to offer [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]. During the Hindu month of [[Shravana]] (August September), ''Hare Krishna [[kirtan]]'', chanting of the [[Hare Krishna (mantra)|Hare Krishna mantra]], is conducted all through the night, a major attraction to the devotees.<ref name =Assam/><ref name=National>{{Cite web|url=http://sivasagar.nic.in/districtpage/sivasagar.htm|title=District at a Glance – Sivasagar|publisher= National Informatics Centre}}</ref><br />
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The [[Dol Purnima|Dol Yatra]] and [[Rath Yatra]] are two annual festivals celebrated at Vishnu Dol.{{Sfn|Huda|1990|p=67}} [[Durga Puja]] is celebrated every year with great fervour during September–October at Devidol.<ref name =Assam/><br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist|30em}}<br />
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==Bibliography==<br />
*{{cite book|last= Barua |first=Dr Kanak Chandra |title=Eimear Traveller's Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hoWpBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT27|date=26 August 2014|publisher=Notion Press|isbn=978-93-84049-28-7}}<br />
*{{cite book|last= Barua |first=Hem |title=The red river and the blue hill|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6k4bAAAAIAAJ|year=1962|publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall}}<br />
*{{cite book|last= Bernier |first=Ronald M. |title=Himalayan Architecture|url=https://archive.org/details/himalayanarchite00bern|url-access= registration |page= [https://archive.org/details/himalayanarchite00bern/page/26 26] |year=1997|publisher=Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press|isbn=978-0-8386-3602-2}}<br />
*{{cite book|last1= Betts |first1=Vanessa |last2= McCulloch |first2=Victoria |title=Indian Himalaya Footprint Handbook: Includes Corbett National Park, Darjeeling, Leh, Sikkim|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=77D8AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA364|date=10 February 2014|publisher=Footprint Travel Guides|isbn=978-1-907263-88-0}}<br />
*{{cite book|last= Bhattacharya |first=Prasanta |title=Tourism in Assam: Trend and Potentialities|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ge1_AAAAMAAJ|year=2004|publisher=Bani Mandir}}<br />
*{{cite book|last= Huda |first=Manirul|title=Urbanisation in India: a study of Sibsagar-Assam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z2dPAAAAMAAJ|year=1990|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-7099-209-7}}<br />
*{{cite book|last= Knapp |first=Stephen |title=Spiritual India Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=djI5mL2qeocC&pg=PT806|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Jaico Publishing House|isbn=978-81-8495-024-3}}<br />
*{{cite book|last= Session |first=Indian Art History Congress|title=Proceedings of Indian Art History Congress|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hh5NAAAAYAAJ|year=2000|publisher=Indian Art History Congress}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
* {{commons category inline|Sibasagar Shiva Doul}}<br />
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{{Hindu Temples in Assam}}<br />
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[[Category:Hindu temples in Assam]]<br />
[[Category:Shiva temples in Assam]]<br />
[[Category:Sivasagar]]<br />
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Assam]]<br />
[[Category:Tourism in Assam]]<br />
[[Category:18th-century Hindu temples]]</div>Ajay Kumar