The ancient name of this temple of Mahadev is Chandragiri.
Bhubaneswar Shiva Temple Sonain Chandragiri:
Every year on the auspicious day of Bhratri Dwitiya (Bhai dooj) people, thaousands in number, from south Assam (specially Dimasas) assemble at Bhubaneswar Temple of Sonai Chandragiri about 12 kilo metres south from Silchar town on the occassion of foundation day of the temple. On the auspicious day the devotees offer their prayer to the almighty God Sibrai (Siva) of Chandragiri hill. In this occasion a special puja is being organised by the Dimasa Sanskriti Parishad, a Dimasa socio-cultural organisation of Cachar since 1977 A.D.. This year the puja is performing in collaboration with the Dimasa villages of Kalar Hawar areas, Cachar.
According to a stone inscription affixed to the wall of the temple, it was constructed by Joysingha Barma, the wise minister of Heramba kingdom at the advice of the Dimasa-Heramba king Krishnachandranara (1774 – 1813 A.D.).
Two stone inscriptions are found affixed to the walls of the temple. Both inscriptions are in Sanskrit language and are in Bengali script. The no. I inscription gives information regarding the person who constructed the temple, which we mentioned earlier.
The no. II inscription is narrated the date of establishment & opening of the temple through a astrological puzzel. According to scholar Dr. Amalendu Bhattacharjee (Srinaradi Rasamrita, edited by Amalebdu Bhattacharjee, 2007, Kolkata, p. VI) and Dimasa historian Uttam Chand Barman (Chandragiri, Silchar, 2008, pp.19-20) the temple was constructed in 1787 A.D.
In the same year on the auspicious day of Bhratri dwitiya (Bhai dooj) the temple was inaugurated in presence of king Krishnachandranarayana. Mr. U. C. Barman explain the puzzle elaborately, which narrates the construction year and opening date of the temple in his book Chandragiri, written in Bengali. Also, scholar historian Upendra Chandra Guha narrated the year of the construction of temple as saka1709 (Cacharer Itibrtta, Upendra Chandra Guha, Reprint 2006, Agartala, p.7) which is equivalent to 1787 A.D.. Some research scholars are of the opinion that the temple was constructed in 1785 A.D., which is not correct.
Beside, some scholars wrongly narrated that the temple was constructed at the urge of Induprava, the queen of king Krishnachandra as the Bhuban shrine was not easy accessible to her. Though, it is found a belief prevailing in some people of the Barak valley that the temple was constructed at the desire of the queen Induprava, there is no evidence or proof in favour of this. Rather, the document says that the temple was constructed before 15 (fifteen) years of marriage of Induprava to Dimasa king Krishnachandranarayana. According to chronicle of Manipur (Kumbaba) Induprava, the princess of Manipur was married to Dimasa king Krishnachandra in 1802 A.D. (Dr. Kunjalal Singha, Khorjei, A Magazine, Edited by Naorem Rajen, February, 2013, p.04.). So it is evident that as the Bhubaneswar temple of Sonai Chandragiri was established 15 yrs. before of the marriage of Induprava, the question to construct the temple at her desire or urge does not arise.
As per the traditional popular hearsay and belief, still current amongst the people of Barak Valley, specially to the Dimasa people that according to direction of King Krishnachandra, on way to Bhuban hills, the ancient holy shrine, with a view to construct a temple in the name of Lord Bhubaneswar Siva there, Joysingha Barma while spending a night at Chandragiri hill, in his dream was instructed by God Siva to establish a temple there i.e. at Chandragiri instead of Bhuban hills. So, by the devine will of God Siva and advised by king Krishnachandra Joysingha Barma, the wise Minister, constructed the temple there. This is also narrated in the books of Guha (Cacharer Itibritta, opcit., p. 7) and Barman (Chandragiri, opcit , pp. 13-14.). Hence, this is the actual fact in regards of the construction of Siva temple at Sonai Chandragiri (Chander Thila or Changuthila).
Further, some writer wrongly inclined to narrate Joysingha Barma as the king of Manipur, who reign during 1822 to 1823 A.D. according to their source (S. Rajendra Kr. Singha Choudhury, translated by N.Dhiren Singha; The Shiv-hill of Sonai in the hidden view of History, Silchar, 2012, pp. 48-49). If so, than why did not he recorded or retained his title as ‘Barma’ later ? Mentionable that, here ‘singha’ is a part and parcel of the name. So, in the stone inscription it is inscribed as ‘Jaysingha’ and title is Barma equivalent to Barman. The word is Sanskrit origin. Meaning of ‘Jaysingha’ in Bengali is ‘Vijayee singha’ i.e. very much brave as like a lion. Manipuries have been using the ‘Singha’ as there common title since time immeorial. So narrating Joysingha Barma as Manipuri is nothing but a fabrication.
Also mentionable that the clan i.e. sengphong of Joysingha Barma is ‘Dibragede’. He was the son of Ishan alias Wamam. His descendants are still alive. Late Naba Gopal Barman, Founder Secretary of Dimasa Sanskriti Parishad, Silchar was one of the descendant of Joysingha Barma. The title ‘Barma’ itself prove that Joysingha Barma was of Dimasa community as Dimasas of Barak Valley is being using the title ‘Barman’ commonly since time immemorial. It is known to all that the title ‘Barma’ is also used as ‘Barman’ in the history.
