Parshuram Kund
Lower Lohit river, near Tezu, Lohit district · Sage Parashurama (avatar of Vishnu); shrines of Parashurama, Renuka and the Dashavatara
Where Parashurama's axe fell from his hand – the great Makar Sankranti bath of the Northeast.
Parshuram Kund is a sacred pool on the Lohit river, in the foothills of the Mishmi hills about 20 km upstream of Tezu (sources give 20–48 km). By legend Parashurama washed his hands here and the axe with which he had killed his mother finally fell away. Every Makar Sankranti (14–15 January) tens of thousands of pilgrims and sadhus bathe here. An Inner Line Permit is required.
Timings
- Site: Open daylight hours; bathing is safest in daylight
- Mela: Around Makar Sankranti, 14–15 January (several days; exact dates set each year by the district)
Darshan types and costs
- Holy dip and darshan – Free
Sevas and costs
- Makar Sankranti snan (holy dip) – Free (Makar Sankranti, 14/15 January)
How to book darshan
No booking for the kund. You need an Arunachal Inner Line Permit (Indian citizens) – online at the Tourist e-ILP portal or, during the mela, at the Dirak and Sunpura check gates.
Dress code
No dress code. Bring a change of clothes for the dip and warm clothes – January mornings are cold.
Best time to visit
November to April. Makar Sankranti (mid-January) for the mela; other months for a quiet visit. Avoid the monsoon (May–September), when landslides cut the roads.
How to reach
- air: Dibrugarh (Mohanbari), about 200 km. Tezu has a small airport; check current flights.
- rail: Tinsukia, about 160 km.
- road: Two routes: Dibrugarh – Tinsukia – Rupai – Dirak check gate; or Sadiya – Dr Bhupen Hazarika Setu – Sunpura – Tezu. Tezu to the kund is about 20 km (sources vary) via the Lohit hill road.
Festivals
- Parshuram Kund Mela – Makar Sankranti, mid-January