Brahmaputra ropeway

The Assam government has inaugurated a 1.8-km ropeway across the Brahmaputra river and described it as India’s longest river ropeway.

• The 1.82 km bi-cable jig-back ropeway connecting Kachari Ghat (Guwahati) to Dol Govinda Temple on the northern bank, the ropeway passed the famous Umananda, a medieval Shiva temple on a small island.
• The ropeway comprises two cabins — each with a capacity of 30 passengers plus one operator.
  “One-way travel on the ropeway will take say 9-10 minutes. So in 20 minutes if a person can complete a round trip between Guwahati and North Guwahati.
• “This is one of the most advanced & longest river crossing Aerial Tramway systems in India”.

Umananda Temple

• Umananda Devaloi is a Shiva temple located at Umananda Island (Peacock Island) in the middle of the river Brahmaputra.
• The name ‘Umananda’ comes from the two Hindi words, namely ‘Uma’, which was another name for Lord Shiva’s wife and ‘Ananda’ which means happiness.
• The Siva Chaturdasi is the most colourful festival that is held here annually.

• Evidence of a stone temple belonging to the post-Gupta period can be seen on the site.
• The site has stone sculptures and carvings belonging to the early medieval period.
• Achaturbhuja stone female figure still exists here besides rock-cut figures of Ganesa and a cave.
• Brick temple of Umananda was built in 1694 A.D. by the Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique by the order of King Gadadhar Singha (1681–1696), one of the ablest and strongest rulers of the Ahom dynasty.
• The original temple was however immensely damaged by a devastating earthquake of 1897. Later, it was reconstructed by a rich local merchant who chose to inscribe the interior part of a
• Siva temple with Vaisnavite slogans.

Umananda Island

• It is the smallest inhabited river island in the world.
• The British named this island as Peacock island for its shape.

• It is situated in the river of the Brahmaputra in Assam.
• According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva lived in the island much to the ananda or joy of his consort Uma, another name for Parvati, hence the name ‘Umananda’.
• It is also known as Peacock Island, because it resembled a peacock’s feathers splayed in full view.
• Golden Langur, one of the most endangered species of primates is found on this island.
• Golden langurs are found only in parts of Western Assam and the neighbouring foothills of the Black Mountains of Bhutan.

Source: TH