The
Ashvakranta temple in Guwahati in Assam is an
ancient one and is associated with the legend of Krishna slaying the demon
Narakasura.It is believed that Ashvakranta is the site at
which Krishna camped with his horses and army before he
killed the demon Narakasura, hence the name Ashvakranta.
The temple enshrines
an image of Krishna (Vishnu) in the Anantasayana or the
reclining posture, where Vishnu is shown reclining on the serpent Adi
Sesha, with Bhrahma seated on a lotus emanating from his navel. The four
armed Vishnu is flanked by Mahalakshmi (or Mahamaaya) and
the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. Two rows of Naaga Kanyas
are portrayed as worshipping Vishnu. (See also Indalur in
Tamilnadu, portraying Anantasaayee associated with the legend of restoring
the Vedas from the demons Madhu and Kaitabha).
Legend has it that Naraka, the son of Krishna was
appointed ruler of Assam. He fell into bad ways and began tormenting
mortals and the Gods, especially under the influence of another demon
Bana.
The sage
Vashishta visited Kamarupa Desa with the intention of worshipping
Kamakhya Devi. Naraka stopped him from doing so and hence the sage cursed
him that he would be killed by his own father Vishnu.
As
Narakasura's attrocities increased, Vishnu (Krishna) invaded
Kamarupa (Pragjyotishapura) and vanquished the demon. Upon being slain,
the remorseful demon pleaded with Krishna, that his death would be
celebrated with fanfare by humanity, in the wee hours of the new moon
morning in the month of Libra. This legend forms the
basis of the grandest festival in India Deepavali - the
festival of Lights. This legend is a popular one in South India.
Also located near
Guwahati is Vasishtashrama or the hermitage of
Vasishta, where he is believed to have carried out penances
meditating upon Shiva. Legend has it that Indra along
with heavenly damsels, rendered the nearby streams impure, and incurred
the wrath of Vasishta. As a result of which he was born on earth as a
mortal, who later on rose to be the founder of the Ahom
dynasty of Assam.