Umananda

Half dayBest: Oct–AprIslands#island#temple#ferry

Peacock island temple

Why this weekend?

Umananda templeFerry rideGolden langurs

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The day-by-day plan

Half day · The island hour
- Morning ferry
- Temple darshan
- Langur watch
- Rock walk
- Return ferry

Geography & terrain

Umananda Island sits mid-stream in the Brahmaputra at Guwahati — a peacock-shaped sliver of rock a few hundred metres long, reached by ferry from the city's ghats, its summit crowned by the small Umananda temple above the great river's brown-green water.

History & culture

The island's Shiva temple was built in the 17th century by the Ahom king Sukladhwaja, and the site's legend ties it to Shiva's grief for Sati — the name 'Umananda' joining Uma's joy; the island survived the great 1897 earthquake that shattered the temple, rebuilt since, and its golden langur colony has made the ferry ride a wildlife-and-shrine classic.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,500–4,000/night

Mid-range

₹4,000–9,000/night

Comfort

₹9,000+/night

Things to do

Island shrine
Golden langurs
River crossing
Saraighat views
Rock rim

Eat & drink

Duck curry with khar
Masor tenga (sour fish)
Aloo pitika
Pitha (rice cakes)

Getting there

Fly: Guwahati (GAU)
Train: Guwahati & Dibrugarh junctions
Road from Guwahati: varies by district — 50–550 km
Getting around: City buses, autos, shared sumos

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹8,500–18,500 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,500–9,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹1,200–1,600
Per day · Activities: ₹1,800–2,200

Month by month

Jan · Best: 7–23°C · Light rain
Feb · Good: 10–26°C · Light rain
Mar · Good: 14–30°C · Moderate rain
Apr · Hot: 18–32°C · Moderate rain
May · Pre-monsoon: 21–33°C · Heavy rain
Jun · Monsoon: 23–32°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon: 23–32°C · Heavy rain
Oct · Good: 18–30°C · Moderate rain
Nov · Best: 12–27°C · Light rain
Dec · Best: 8–24°C · Light rain

Practical info

Language: Assamese (Hindi/English common in towns) (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Oct–Apr
Connectivity: good 4G in towns
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

Ferries run mornings through afternoon; mornings are quietest
The langurs are wild — hold bags and keep distance
The temple floors are bare stone; the crossing is hot — hats and water

Frequently asked questions

What is Umananda?

The peacock-shaped river island of Guwahati with its 17th-century Shiva temple — and a famous golden langur colony.

How long is the visit?

A morning — the ferries, the temple and the island walk fill three relaxed hours.

Is the ferry easy?

Yes — small boats run the short crossing from the city ghats all through the day.