Basistha Ashram, which was the hermitage of sage Basistha, dates back to the Vedic age. But, the absence of a proper boundary wall around the holy shrine is now a cause of serious concern.
The temple in the ashram stands on the bank of the three mythical mountain streams - Sandhya, Lalita, and Kanta, originating from the hills of Meghalaya, which become the rivers Basistha and Bahini/Bharalu subsequently flowing through Guwahati.
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The centuries-old ashram nestled atop the Sandhya hill now faces a sense of infringement as there is no particular entry-exit point to the holy shrine.
Taking advantage of the nearby vegetation and secluded location, a lot of unscrupulous gangs, including drug peddlers, misuse the periphery of the holy shrine for anti-social activities.
Apart from the devotees, the area is flocked with locals for leisure and a large number of habitual drunkards and drug addicts visit the place for amusement. Earlier, the place was infamous for such incidents.
With repeated requests from the ashram committee, a police outpost was finally put up near the entrance. However, situations at times get out of control during the night when abusers try to trespass inside the ashram premises.
While speaking to GPlus, a priest shared, “We are in dire need of a boundary wall for the ashram. Not only will it initiate a systematic flow of devotees, it will also uphold the sanctity of the ashram.”
The priest said the name of Basistha Muni is being tarnished due to the endless nuisance and ruckus created by the bunch of hooligans, who are perpetually high on intoxication.
Even though most of the incidents are reported far away from the ashram, the name "Basistha Ashram" automatically gets entangled. The ancient ashram is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
A police official from the ashram outpost said, “We are vigilant about such kinds of situations. Though the trespassing has decreased, there are still one or two instances. We deal with it accordingly.”
The ashram, built by Ahom King Rajeshwar Singha, has stood for approximately 500 years. Reflecting the architectural style of its era, it aligns with other temples in the vicinity of Guwahati, showcasing a historical aesthetic.
The ashram, dedicated to the primary deity Shiva and named after Basistha Muni (sage), holds a fascinating legend.
Apparently, when Basistha Muni arrived at the location, there was no water, prompting him to pray to Goddess Ganga. In response, three Ganga rivulets intersected, creating a sacred spot where he bathed and began Shiva Tapasya.
After years, he gained Shivatta, merging with Shiva. It's believed his soul resides in the temple's Shivalinga.
That is why Shivaratri is the best time to experience the temple's holiness, with grand celebrations during Shivaratri and Bol-Bom festivals, along with Makar Sankranti festivities.
The upkeep of the holy shrine is looked after by a seven-member committee, and there are around 17 priests.
The priests of Basistha Ashram are of the opinion that the holy shrine has been a great source of succour to the devotees, and often people offer prayers whenever they are in trouble.
During the last few years, the priests and the management committee tried their best to develop basic infrastructure in the temple complex. With the eight bighas of land under the ashram there is still scope for more infrastructural development.
A boundary wall is crucial for Basistha Ashram, the priests said, adding that they are hopeful that the Assam government will extend its helping hand to make it possible.
While discussing the upkeep of the ashram, a priest sharing with GPlus said, “Earlier, the allowance from the state was ₹735 per year. This has changed to ₹2 lakhs per year now.”
With the introduction of the Assam Darshan Scheme, Basistha Ashram received a sum of ₹12 lakhs, which was used to build a prayer hall and chambers for priests. Even, the offerings of devotees help with the daily spiritual practices.
It is also to be mentioned that prominent businessmen of Guwahati were also instrumental in the beautification of the ashram. Even now there are few works in progress.
Apart from that, there are a few dedicated locals who have donated to the sacred cause. However, the concerns behind setting up the boundary wall still prevail. The authority is expected to come up with a solution regarding this pressing matter.
