Hajo
(Assamese: হাজো) is an ancient pilgrimage centre for three religions:
Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims. It lies on the banks of the Brahmaputra
River, 24 km from the city of Guwahati in the Kamrup district of Assam,
India. The area is dotted with a number of ancient temples as well as
other sacred artifacts. The Hayagriva Madhava Mandir is the most famous
temple of Hajo. Lesser known temples of Hajo like that of Ganesha was
constructed during the reign of Ahom King Pramatta Singha in 1744 AD.
The Kedareswara Temple, a Shiva temple, has inscription on the temple
showing that it is of Rajeswar Singha period.
Hayagriva Madhava
Mandir is situated on the Monikut hill. 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 Mahhava 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 Man Lion
incarnation of Vishnu by the Hindus.[1] Sayani, the first wife of Kalia
Bhomora Barphukan donated a family of paiks and also a plot of land for
their maintenance to the Hayagriva Madhava temple during the days of
Purnananda Burhagohain.
Hajo is also a Muslim pilgrimage centre
since the mosque known as the Poa Mecca is thought to have some of the
sanctity of Mecca.