About Da Parbatia Temple Ruins
Da Parbatia Temple Ruins is an archaeological site located in Da Parbatia village, about 5 km west of Tezpur in Sonitpur district, Assam. It preserves the remains of a 6th-century Hindu temple from the Gupta period, renowned for its ornate stone doorframe featuring carvings of goddesses Ganga and Yamuna. Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, it is considered one of the oldest and finest examples of ancient temple architecture and iconographic art in Assam.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a small, open-air archaeological site centered around a beautifully carved stone doorframe, the only major surviving element of the ancient temple. The site features intricate Gupta-era sculptures of Ganga and Yamuna and other floral and geometric motifs displayed under a protective shelter. A modern Shiva temple built over the ruins stands nearby. The surroundings are quiet and semi-rural with informational signage, allowing close viewing of the stonework and photography.
Key highlights
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Ornate 6th-century Gupta-era stone doorframe with carvings of goddesses Ganga and Yamuna
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One of the oldest surviving examples of temple architecture and iconographic art in Assam
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Protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India
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Intricate stone sculptures depicting floral motifs, scrollwork and divine figures
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Adjacent modern Shiva temple built over the ancient ruins
History of Da Parbatia Temple Ruins
The ruins represent a Hindu temple dating to the 6th century CE during the Gupta period. The surviving doorframe is noted for its classical Gupta style architecture and is considered the earliest and finest specimen of sculptural art in Assam. The site was later built over, and excavations revealed the ancient remains which are now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance.
Culture & Context
The site reflects early Hindu temple art in Northeast India, dedicated to Hindu deities and featuring iconography of river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna. It demonstrates the spread of Gupta artistic traditions to Assam and remains a culturally important heritage site for understanding the region's ancient religious and architectural history.