Holy Hajo

Taking the temple of Hayagriva as the most important shrine; the city was full of red, white and blue colored religious, public and private buildings. The sacred city was looked majestic more not only with its buildings but also with planned and clean roads having many artistic fountains. The ponds looked like green carpets with blue spots, otherwise pink carpets with green and blue spots while lotus flowers used to bloom. We are speaking about Hajo; - the Sacred City of Apunarbhava of ancient Assam.

The modern town of Hajo probably cannot offer you such a majestic view. But the town is still regarded as sacred and offer a lot of attractions to be visited and experience the holiness of Hajo.

Hajo is the confluence of three major religious orders of the world - Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam.

The most sacred shrine of Hajo is situated at the temple of Hayagriva Madhava. The ancient temple is situated on a hillock, namely Manikut; constructed in 6th century AD by the kings of Kamrupi Pala Dynasty. Most of the Buddhists of the Himalayas believe the place holy as the Mahaparinirvan (death) seat of Lord Buddha, while the Hindus offer their dedication as a Vishnu temple. Hayagriva Madhava, Dwitiya Madhava, Gadura, Govinda and Basudev are chief of its worshiped deities. The Lamas offer their prayer to its main idol as Namo Guru. But the Hindus worship the presiding deity as Narasimha, the lion head and human body form of Vishnu. Koch King Raghudev summoned the re - construction of the present temple building in the year 1583, with beautiful stone art having the rows of elephants. The shape of the temple is octagonal which is about 30 feet in diameter. The big pond near the temple is known as Madhava Pukhuri, densely populated by tortoises and fishes. Ahom King Pramatta Singha constructed another structure adjacent to the main temple in the year 1750, known as Dol Griha. The campus surroundings has scenic beauty of green fields, forests and hills.

All of the scenery from the tops of the hills in Hajo are praiseworthy. All the sacred spots of Hajo are regarded holy by all religious sects. No exception to the popular Powa Mecca (locally Puwa Mokka), meaning a quarter of Mecca. A prince of Iraq, namely Ghiyasuddin Auliya, who had turned into a preacher came to ancient Kamrup kingdom with a lump of earth of Mecca; enshrined it on the top of Gadurachal hill in 12th century AD. The mosque was built at a later stage It is believed that visitors can earn one powa (one quarter) of blessing and spiritual enlightenment associated with he pilgrimage of Mecca with visiting Powa Mecca. So, basically a person can gain the whole enlightenment by visiting Poa Mecca four times in his lifetime.

Kedereswar Devalaya, another tourist hotspot of Hajo is situated atop Madanachal hill. The metal bowl covered huge Sivalinga of the temple is popularly known as Swayambhu (self originated) Linga. The temple of the devalaya was constructed by Ahom king Rajeswar Singh in 1753.

The Ganesh Temple of Hajo is also known as Deva Bhawan because according to the tradition once it was the meting point of all deities. Made out from a giant natural elephant shaped rock in 1744 under the supervision of Ahom officials in Lower Assam. It is the gateway to Kamaleswar temple; a prominent Siva temple. Joy Durga temple was situated near these temples, constructed by Ahom king Lakshminath Singh in 1774.

Hajo includes an important Vaishnavite Satra too, namely Dhoporguri. The satra was established by Madhabdev in 1587 to expand vaishnavism in Assam. The original three rooms satra had many new construction throughout the centuries.

The relaxed Hajo become heavily vibrated specially during the festival of Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. The Bhogali Bihu of Hajo at Madhava temple has an unique reputation for its traditional Bulbuli Sorair Jhuz (Bulbuli Bird's Fight). The amazing traditional sport is participated by two groups of Hajo locality - Bharalitola and Sonaritola. The preparation begins before two months from the event. Apart from this festival people of all religions prepare and gather together to observe Dol (the Assamese festival of color) at Dol Griha; which was specially established for that purpose, - and Urs at Powa Mecca.

Boat Race (Naokhel) is a very popular form of sports and entertainment among the locals. The locals has great interest in it and the National Dragon Boat Racing Championship at Pit - Kati Beel is used to be observe every year.

River Puthimari provide tourists great natural view and easy access for fishing and angling in Hajo.

FACTS

• Probably Hajo acted as the Capital City of Kamarupa Kingdom during its last period (13th Centaury AD).
• A 16th centaury Tantric work Yogini Tantra, also called Hajo Bishnupuskar is believed to be written in Hajo.
• Hajo is also known as Manikutgram in the Darrang Rajbanshavali (The Royal Chronicle of Darrang).
• Hajo was the capital city of the eastern portion of divided Koch Kingdom in 16th century. This portion of Koch Kingdom was known as Koch Hajo; ruled by Raghudev; nephew of Great Koch King Naranarayan and son of his brother, one of the  Greatest General of Assam Chilarai.
• Due to the political alliance of Kochbeher (western Koch kingdom) with the Mughals; Koch Hajo soon become a satellite cum protected kingdom of Ahom Emperors as a part of the united ethnic groups of the region.

By Jishnu Dolakakhoria
Photography by Dr. Neel Konwar