Maha Mrityunjay Temple, Puranigudam (Nagaon)
Shiva (as Mahamrityunjaya) temple · Puranigudam, Nagaon, Assam, India
The Maha Mrityunjay Temple is a modern Shiva temple at Puranigudam in Nagaon district, Assam. The building itself is shaped like a Shiva linga and rises 126 feet; its promoters and several news reports describe it as the world's largest Shivalinga.
The temple was conceived by Acharya Bhrigu Giri Maharaj, who began work on it in 2003, and it was consecrated in a four-day Pran Pratishtha festival in February 2021. Wikipedia places it about 120 km from Guwahati.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Maha Mrityunjay Temple, Puranigudam (Nagaon)
The temple is named after Shiva as Mahamrityunjaya, the 'great conqueror of death'. According to Acharya Bhrigu Giri Maharaj, as reported by India Today NE and Guwahati Times, Shukracharya, the preceptor of the asuras, performed a yagna at this spot in ancient times; Wikipedia says the tradition is that he recited the Mahamrityunjaya mantra here. These are beliefs held by the temple's founders and devotees rather than historical records.
News reports say the founder chose the site after meditating there. The consecration drew national attention: The Sentinel reported that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, then Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Himanta Biswa Sarma took part in the rituals.
Heritage
History of Maha Mrityunjay Temple, Puranigudam (Nagaon)
Construction began in 2003 under Acharya Bhrigu Giri Maharaj, according to The Sentinel, India Today NE and Guwahati Times. Wikipedia says that after several earlier attempts by other architects and engineers, the final engineering and design were completed by engineer Narayan Sharma.
The Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav (consecration festival) began on 22 February 2021 and ended on 25 February. The Sentinel and Guwahati Times report that about 250 priests from Tamil Nadu performed the rites at a pavilion with 108 yagna kundas (fire altars), and that the temple opened to devotees on 26 February 2021. The temple committee's general secretary, Jitu Goswami, described the event to The Sentinel as the fulfilment of the founder's long-held wish.
In May 2021 Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the temple would be developed into a major tourist attraction, after meeting district, police, forest and public works officials, India Today NE reported. Wikipedia notes that a strong earthquake on 28 April 2021 caused a minor crack in the upper part of the structure, which it describes as ornamental rather than structural damage.
Architecture and sacred features
The temple is a 126-foot structure built in the form of a Shiva linga, according to Wikipedia and news reports. Reliable published details of its interior layout are limited.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
This is an active place of worship that can be crowded on festival days, so dress modestly, follow the instructions of temple volunteers and respect photography rules inside. Confirm current darshan timings and any special arrangements with the temple management before you visit.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Temple committee (per The Sentinel) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Location
How to Reach Maha Mrityunjay Temple, Puranigudam (Nagaon)
The temple is at Puranigudam in Nagaon district, about 120 km from Guwahati according to Wikipedia. Nagaon is the nearest large town; confirm the local road route before travelling.
Location: Puranigudam, Nagaon, Assam, India
More in Hindu temples in Assam · Shiva (as Mahamrityunjaya) temples
Questions
Maha Mrityunjay Temple, Puranigudam (Nagaon): Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is the Maha Mrityunjay Temple?
The linga-shaped temple is 126 feet tall. News reports and the temple's promoters describe it as the world's largest Shivalinga.
Who built the Maha Mrityunjay Temple in Nagaon?
It was conceived by Acharya Bhrigu Giri Maharaj, who began construction in 2003. Wikipedia credits engineer Narayan Sharma with the final engineering and design.
When was the Maha Mrityunjay Temple consecrated?
The Pran Pratishtha festival was held from 22 to 25 February 2021, and the temple opened to devotees on 26 February 2021.
What is the legend associated with the site?
According to the founder, Shukracharya, preceptor of the asuras, performed a yagna here in ancient times; Wikipedia says he recited the Mahamrityunjaya mantra at the spot. This is a belief, not a historical record.
Where is the Maha Mrityunjay Temple?
It is at Puranigudam in Nagaon district, Assam, about 120 km from Guwahati according to Wikipedia.
Was the temple damaged in the 2021 earthquake?
Wikipedia reports a minor crack in the upper part after the earthquake of 28 April 2021, described as ornamental rather than structural damage.
Sources and attribution
- The Sentinel (Assam) — Amit Shah Visited the Maha Mrityunjay Temple in Nagaon, Assam
- India Today NE — Nagaon's Maha Mrityunjay temple to be transformed into tourist attraction: Assam CM
- Guwahati Times — Assam's Maha Mrityunjay Temple: Things to know about the World's Largest Shivling
- Wikipedia — Maha Mrityunjay Temple
Further reading: Maha Mrityunjay Temple, Puranigudam (Nagaon) on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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