History, culture, mystique—Urvashi Island, is all this and more. An evocative, rocky islet rising from the powerful currents of the Brahmaputra, near the vibrant riverfront of Panbazar in Guwahati, it is a sanctuary of ancient artistry, spiritual significance, and the cultural brilliance of early Assam.
Until a few years ago, during the dry months of February and March, you could walk to the island over sandbanks exposed by the retreating river. Now, with this natural path since disappeared, the island can be spotted—probably named after the mythological celestial nymph Urvashi— from River View Points or from the Guwahati Ropeway, which connects North Guwahati across the Brahmaputra River (Ropeway closed on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month for maintenace). The cable car ride offers a quick glimpse and a fleeting bird’s-eye view of the island during the dry months, though the intricate sculptures remain elusive, difficult to discern from such heights or a distance. For a better view, it would have to be a binocular-view, while on a boat ride along the Brahmaputra, which seems to guard the island in secrecy.
Urvashi Island’s heritage is both fragile and enduring. Believed to date back to the 9th-11th century, adorned with intricately carved sculptures and remnants of an ancient temple, it whispers stories of spiritual devotion and craftsmanship. Each monsoon, the mighty Brahmaputra engulfs the island, eroding its sculptures and carrying away fragments of its storied past. Yet, as the floodwaters recede, the island re-emerges like a phoenix.
Standing resilient against nature’s relentless forces, the island continues to remain a cultural treasure, home to Assam’s most comprehensive depiction of Vishnu’s ten avatars, the Dashavatara, making Urvashi Island an unparalleled gem. This extraordinary collection includes Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Rama, Parashurama, Buddha, and Kalki. Among its other treasures are exquisite depictions of Surya, the Sun God, and a majestic figure of Vishnu with four arms holding the Gada (mace), Chakra (discus), Shanka (conch), and Katak Mudra (gesture), flanked by Lakshmi and Saraswati, personifying wealth and wisdom. The island’s spiritual aura is further enriched by sculptures of Ganesha, alongside Shiva lingas. Two lines of staircases, which likely once led to a grand temple, adds to its mystique.
Many of its sculptures are oriented toward Umananda temple located on Bhasmachala Hill, a stone’s throw away on an island in the middle of the Brahmaputra. A pillar, believed to have served as a warning of danger during the rainy season, also stands on the Urvashi island—captured in a striking illustration in John Butler’s 1847 book, A Sketch of Assam – With Some Account of the Hill Tribes. The book which features an artful depiction of the partially submerged island, alongside the pillar—most likely constructed during the colonial era—adds depth to its complex historical significance.
Today, although preserving the island’s physical state is a challenging task and accessing the rocky terrain remains equally arduous, documenting its treasures through digital archives can surely ensure its story endures for times to come. Urvashi Island is not just a historical site but a living symbol of Assam’s rich heritage and artistic brilliance. It stands as a bridge to the past, reminding us that beneath the swirling currents of the Brahmaputra lie untold stories, waiting to be discovered.