Hajo Sightseeing, Quick Facts, History, Packages, Tours & Excursions

Sightseeing Highlights

Hayagriba Madhava Temple is one of the most holy pilgrim centres in Assam. It was once destroyed by the Muslim invaders, and later re-built in 1543 by the Koch king Raghudev. One has to reach the temple by a long stone stairway, and the idol of Lord Krishna in the holy sanctum resembles that of Lord Jagannath in Puri. At the base of the stairway is a pond where you can see a giant turtle, believed to be a few centuries old.

This temple is also regarded as a holy shrine by Buddhists and Bhutiyas, some of who believe that Lord Buddha attained Nirvana here. There is a smaller temple next to it which was built by King Pramatta Singh and where Holi or Dol is celebrated with much pomp every year.

The other place of great religious significance is Pao-Mecca (or one-fourth Mecca) which draws millions of devout Muslim pilgrims each year. The mosque here was built by Mir Lutufullah-i-Shiraji in 1657, during the reign of Mughal emperor Shahjahan. In front of the mosque lies the tomb of Ghiasuddin Aulia, who took Islam to the East and Northeast of India. It is believed that there is some earth carried all the way from Mecca in the foundation of the mosque.