नमः शिवाय
The ancient Mahabhairab temple is located on top of a hillock on the northern part of one of the cleanest cities of India, Tezpur. The temple is a magnificent landmark and adds a magnetic charm to this enchantingly beautiful town. The Shiva Linga present in the temple is apparently one of the largest lingams in the world, made of living stone by the demon king Ban Asura. One can easily reach the temple through roadways as the temple lies beside the main road of Tezpur. The best time to visit the temple is during the holy occasion of Shivratri and in the month of Shravana (Bol Bom), as large number of devotees visit the temple during that time to offer prayers and seek blessings from the divine Lord Shiva. It is a world famous site and many renowned politicians, personalities, actors etc. across the globe visit the temple every year. One can find no. of pilgrims in the temple all around the year. The Mahabhairab temple is around 180 km away from Guwahati city and is about 80 m (262 ft) above the sea level. A ‘Chaki Ghar’ has been recently inaugurated in the temple premises by the Deputy Commissioner of Sonitpur District Sri Bhupesh Ch. Das, where devotees lit diyas (lamp) and seek blessings from the lord.
One of the important features of the temple is its ease of connectivity:
Besides, there are spontaneous light vehicle services (such as E-rikshaw, Tempo, bikes etc.) from all the transportation areas which make it much easy for anyone to trace and visit the temple.
It is believed that a thousand-armed Asura king, and son of King Mahabali (a noble and prosperous ruler) and Vindhyavali, king Bana was the ancient king of Sonitpur and an ardent devotee of lord Shiva. Sources mention that Banasura (birthdate estimated before 3045 BCE) built the Mahabhairab temple out of a stone and introduced linga worship. The Shiva Linga of this temple is said to be made of ‘Living Stone’ which grows over slowly by years.
However, archeologists believed that the temple was later built by the kings of Salasthamba dynasty (also known as Mlechchha dynasty) (c. 650 - 900) who ruled Kamrupa from their capital Harruppesvar or Hadpeshwar (present day Tezpur) sometime during 8th to 10th century A.D. The huge pillars scattered all around the temple are signatory that the temple was originally a stone temple. But the original temple was destroyed by the ravages of time. Though it was rebuilt and looked after by successive kings and rulers, the catastrophic earthquake of 1897 heavily damaged the temple premises.
The present structure of the temple was built sometime in the early part of the 20th century by a great devotee and monk Sri Swayambar Bharati, popularly known as Naga Baba and the responsibilities and management of the temple were in the hands of Borthakur. After few years, another monk Sri Mahadeo Bharati built the ‘‘Nat Mandir’’ (infront of the linga premises, where the devotees ring the holy hanging bells as an invocation to the principal deity to listen to their pleas). Later, another devotee built the cement – concrete idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman, which stand as Dwarpals in-front of the temple. During the Ahom rule, kings specially of the Tungkhungiya dynasty donated a large part of Devottar land for the temple and pujaris and paiks were appointed to look after the temple. The prime responsibility of management was in the hands of Borthakur.
Since 20th century, there have been various renovations and other developments taking place such as installments of lights, webcams, iron-railings etc. Presently, the temple is managed by a managing committee under the name and style “Sri Sri Mahabhairab Temple Management Committee” headed by Sonitpur District’s Deputy Commissioner. He presides over as the chairperson of the committee and participates in decision-making activities.