Umananda Island Island

Address: Umananda Temple, Peacock Island (Umananda), Brahmaputra River, Guwahati, Assam, India

Umananda Island is a small river island in the Brahmaputra River within the city of Guwahati in Assam, India. It is known for a historic Hindu temple located on the island and for its role as a local pilgrimage site.

The island’s primary attraction is the Umananda Temple, a shrine dedicated to Shiva that occupies a hill on the islet; the island also supports local vegetation and a notable population of monkeys. Visitors commonly arrive by short ferry trips from Guwahati and spend an hour or two exploring the temple precinct and viewpoints.

The temple on the island was constructed in the late 17th century and is associated with regional devotional practice; the island has been a recognized sacred site since that period. Over time the temple has been maintained and repaired and remains an active place of worship.

Umananda Island lies in the middle reaches of the Brahmaputra within Guwahati city limits and is a short distance from the city’s riverfront ghats. The island is centrally located relative to the urban area and is a common short excursion for residents and visitors.

• Access: Regular ferries operate from riverfront points in Guwahati to the island, making it a short boat trip from the city.

What to See#

• Umananda Temple: A small hilltop temple complex dedicated to Shiva with a principal shrine that is the island’s principal built feature; the temple precinct is compact and reached by short ferry rides from Guwahati.

Ferries depart from ghats in central Guwahati such as Fancy Bazaar and Fancy Bazaar Ferry Ghat; the crossing takes only a few minutes. During dry season ferries run frequently mid-morning to late afternoon; outside those times visitors should ask locally for the next boat.

• Catch the earliest ferry from Fancy Bazaar ghat to avoid the heat and the mid-day crowds; the crossing is very short but ferries run infrequently outside peak hours.
• Bring small change for the boatman and for offerings at the temple - there is no formal ticketing.
• Watch the macaques: they are bold and will judge anyone with an unattended camera or a sandwich.
• Visit at low water if possible - the Brahmaputra's currents and the island's narrow shoreline are much easier to negotiate then.