Sivadol (Shiva Doul), Sivasagar
Shiva temple · Sivasagar, Assam, India
The Sivadol (Shiva Doul, 'temple of Shiva') stands on the bank of the Sivasagar tank, also called the Borpukhuri, in the heart of Sivasagar town in Upper Assam. It is the central and tallest of three temples on the tank, flanked by the Vishnudol, dedicated to Vishnu, and the Devidol, dedicated to the Goddess.
The Sivadol is a centrally protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Guwahati Circle, which calls it one of the tallest Ahom temples in Assam. It is still a living temple: the Sivasagar district administration notes that daily worship continues in all three shrines.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Sivadol (Shiva Doul), Sivasagar
Sivasagar was the capital of the Ahom kingdom, and Assam Tourism describes the Sivadol as one of the most sacred pilgrimage places of the region. The town and district take their name from the tank on which the temple stands, according to the district administration.
The temple is the focus of large Maha Shivaratri celebrations. The Assam Tribune has reported tens of thousands of devotees queuing to make offerings at the Shiva Doul on Shivaratri, and the district administration says an annual Shiva festival is organised in March. Assam Tourism notes that the neighbouring Devidol draws many devotees during Durga Puja.
The temple is also important for the history of art in Assam. The scholars B. K. Barua and H. V. Sreenivasa Murthy write that, for artistic merit, the Sivadol holds an important place in the artistic history of Assam.
Heritage
History of Sivadol (Shiva Doul), Sivasagar
The tank and its temples belong to the reign of the Ahom king Siva Singha (1714–1744). The district administration says the tank was excavated in 1733 by Queen Ambika (also called Madambika), wife of Siva Singha, and that the Sivadol, Vishnudol and Devidol were built in 1734. Assam Tourism likewise credits Queen Ambika with ordering the three temples, and Wikipedia gives the same 1734 date.
The ASI's own description attributes the Sivadol to King Siba Singha and the Vishnudol and Devidol to Queen Ambika; since the queen built the temples during his reign, both attributions point to the same period. The district page itself also names a Queen Phuleswari in one line, so accounts of the patron vary.
The district administration records that a gold finial (kalasha) about 8 feet high crowns the temple. Wikipedia records that the Moamoria rebels fought a battle near the tank in the reign of the later Ahom king Gaurinath Singha.
Architecture and sacred features
According to the ASI, the Sivadol is built of brick and stone masonry and aligned north–south on the bank of the tank. It has a sanctum (garbhagriha), antarala and mandapa. The sanctum is octagonal in plan and built of ashlar stone up to the vimana; its floor is lower than the surrounding level. The shikhara is curved in the rekha-nagara style, ringed by four smaller corner towers (angashikharas), and crowned by tiers of kalashas and an emblem of the deity. The mandapa is of brick with a char-chala (four-sided hut-style) roof topped by amalakas. An old enclosure wall and gateway surround the complex.
The outer walls carry sculptures of Brahmanical gods and goddesses with geometric and floral designs. Assam Tourism mentions figures of Brahma, Shiva on Nandi, Narasimha, Kalki, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, and hunting scenes on the three temples. Barua and Murthy note the fluted vertical lines of the shikhara. Wikipedia gives the tower's height as about 104 feet (32 m); the district page gives a different figure, so no height is stated as fact here.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The Sivadol is both a protected monument and an active temple. Follow the instructions of the temple authorities and the ASI, do not climb on or touch the carved walls, and dress modestly. Shivaratri brings very large crowds and heavy security. Confirm current timings and arrangements with the temple management or the Sivasagar district administration before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Temple management; monument protected by the ASI before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Sivadol (Shiva Doul), Sivasagar
Maha Shivaratri
The Assam Tribune has reported tens of thousands of devotees at the Shiva Doul on Shivaratri; the district administration says an annual Shiva festival is organised in March.
Durga Puja (at the Devidol)
Assam Tourism notes that the Devidol beside the Sivadol attracts many devotees during Durga Puja.
Location
How to Reach Sivadol (Shiva Doul), Sivasagar
Assam Tourism places Sivasagar about 360 km from Guwahati and 55 km east of Jorhat. The ASI lists the nearest airports as Jorhat and Dibrugarh, the nearest railway station as Simaluguri, and the bus station as Sivasagar.
The temples are in the centre of Sivasagar town on the Borpukhuri tank, and can be combined with other Ahom-era monuments in and around the town.
Location: Sivasagar, Assam, India
Nearest airport: Jorhat or Dibrugarh (per the ASI)
Nearest railway station: Simaluguri (per the ASI)
More in Hindu temples in Assam · Shiva temples · Temples in Sibsagar Circle · Temples in Sivasagar District
Questions
Sivadol (Shiva Doul), Sivasagar: Frequently Asked Questions
Who built the Sivadol in Sivasagar?
It was built in 1734 during the reign of the Ahom king Siva Singha. The district administration and Assam Tourism credit his queen Ambika; the ASI attributes the Sivadol to the king himself.
What are the three temples at Sivasagar?
The Sivadol (Shiva), the Vishnudol (Vishnu) and the Devidol (the Goddess), all on the bank of the Sivasagar tank (Borpukhuri).
Is the Sivadol protected by the ASI?
Yes. The Sivadol, Vishnudol and Devidol at Sivasagar are all centrally protected monuments under the ASI Guwahati Circle.
Is worship still offered at the Sivadol?
Yes. The Sivasagar district administration notes that daily worship continues in all three temples.
How tall is the Sivadol?
The ASI calls it one of the tallest Ahom temples in Assam. Wikipedia gives about 104 feet (32 m), but figures differ between sources.
How do I reach Sivasagar?
Sivasagar is about 55 km east of Jorhat, per Assam Tourism. The ASI lists Jorhat and Dibrugarh as the nearest airports and Simaluguri as the nearest railway station.
Sources and attribution
- Archaeological Survey of India, Guwahati Circle — 44. Sivadol, Sivasagar
- Archaeological Survey of India, Guwahati Circle — 42. Vishnudol, Sivasagar
- Archaeological Survey of India, Guwahati Circle — 43. Devidol, Sivasagar
- Sivasagar District Administration, Government of Assam (Wayback Machine copy, May 2026) — Sivasagar Tank & Temples
- Assam Tourism Development Corporation — Sivasagar: Valley of historic monuments and temples
- The Assam Tribune — Thousands visit Shiva Doul
- B. K. Barua and H. V. Sreenivasa Murthy, Temples and Legends of Assam (reproduced by HinduNet; Wayback Machine copy) — Temples in Sibsagar District – The Sib Dol
- Wikipedia — Sivasagar Sivadol
Further reading: Sivadol (Shiva Doul), Sivasagar on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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