Hayagriva Madhava Temple

Hayagriva Madhava Temple is a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Hayagriva avatar, located atop Monikut Hill in Hajo, Kamrup district, Assam, about 30 km northwest of Guwahati. Revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, it enshrines a black stone image of Hayagriva Madhava. The present stone temple, built in 1583 by Koch King Raghudeva Narayan, features ancient architecture, sculpted elephants, and a sacred pond at its base.

Visitors can expect a hilltop stone temple reached by a flight of stone steps on Monikut Hill. The complex includes the main sanctum housing the Hayagriva Madhava idol, a large pillared hall, rows of sculpted elephants on the outer walls, and the sacred Madhava Pukhuri pond at the foot of the hill. The surroundings are wooded and quiet, with pilgrims performing worship, views over Hajo town, and nearby shops selling offerings.

The present temple was constructed in 1583 by Koch King Raghudeva Narayan and later repaired by Ahom King Pramatta Singha in the mid-18th century. Tradition associates the site with an earlier 6th-century shrine. The temple is built of stone in the Nilachala style, with extensive sculptural decoration, and is regarded as one of the oldest Vishnu temples in Assam.

The temple is dedicated to Hayagriva, the horse-headed avatar of Vishnu, and is an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus. Buddhists revere the same image as Mahamuni, believing Buddha attained Nirvana here, making it a rare site sacred to both traditions. Annual festivals such as Doul Utsav and Janmashtami draw large numbers of devotees.