MADAN KAMDEV ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

Madan Kamdev (Pron: ˈmʌdən/məˈdɑ:n kæmˈdeɪv/ˈkʌmˌdeɪv) is an archaeological site in Baihata, Kamrup, Assam. This place dates back to the 9th and 10th century AD. Excavation and ruins here shows the prosperity and might of Pala dynasty of Kamarupa. After crossing over a footpath, one can find the ruins of Madan Kamdev, scattered all over a secluded place. Madan Kamdev is spread over a stretch of 500 meters. Uma Maheshwar’s embraced idols, carved on the stones of medieval temples can be seen here. The main statues among these are that of Sun’s, Ganesha’s and Vidhyadhar’s

Discovery and Excavation 

Initially archaeologists differed on the issue of when and who constructed these temples. But among them the opinion of Dr. Pradeep Sharma, assistant director of the Archeological Directorate, and Assam seems logical and evident. He says that possibly when Captain

Daltan has written about 15 temple ruins found around the famous Silsako Bridge (a historical bridge that was destroyed in the 1897 earthquake) in his Asian Society of Bengal (1855) magazine, then it might necessarily be about Madan Kamdev. Again, after a long time span, in 1943 and 1949, the inspector of primary education, Tarnikant Sharma, gave same important information regarding the historical facts about the area in the Assam research society (Kamarupa Anusandhan Samiti) 1949 magazine. But till 1976, no research work had been carried upon towards this direction. In the meanwhile the religious people of the villages took the previous statues away or hunters carried them from one place to another. In 1977, the Archaeological Directorate, of Assam took over the responsibility for this area. They started the excavations of the statues under the supervision of Dr. Pradeep Sharma, this exploration mission had unearthed several interesting and valuable facts. According to them, apart from the main temple, ruins of 12 temples have been excavated. By observing these temples and the idols engraved on the walls, one comes to the conclusion that

these were constructed during the 10th and 12th centuries. According to Dr. Sharma, Kamarupa kings of Pala dynasty namely Ratna Pala, Indra Pala and Go Pala involved in constructions of this place.

Getting There: 

It is 35 k.m away from Guwahati. Guwahati has a good public transport system. Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Borjhar is about 30 km away from Madan-Kamdev. In this airport, the connectivity has improved considerably in the last couple of years and all major domestic airlines fly into Guwahati 
Madan Kamdev can be reached by railways too. The nearest rail-station is Guwahati which is connected by other major places like Delhi, Kolkota, Mumbai and so on. 
Madan Kamdev is very well connected with adjoining regions via bus services. A government agency - ASTC (Assam State Transport Corporation) and many private operators provide a considerably good city-bus system. Two nodal points, Adabari and Paltan Bazaar, provide bus services to Madan Kamdev. 

Legend Behind Madan Kamdev temple: 

The ruined temple has a sculpture of the god Shiva and the goddess Uma. This god and goddess pair is still worshipped by the people but they call them "Madan-Kamdev". This is why the temple and the place are known as Madan Kamdev.