Parshuram Kund, situated on the Brahmaputra plateau in the Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh, India, holds great significance as a Hindu pilgrimage site. Dedicated to the deity Parashurama, this location draws pilgrims from various parts of India, including Nepal, as well as nearby states like Manipur and Assam. The annual Makar Sankranti festival sees over 70,000 devotees and sadhus gather to take a purifying dip in the sacred waters of the Kund in January.
Historically, the Kund was established by a sadhu, and its original form persisted until the 1950 Assam earthquake covered it entirely. Although a strong current now flows over the original site, enigmatic boulders have come together in a circular arrangement on the riverbed, creating a new Kund in place of the old one. Overlooking this area is a temple believed to be the dwelling place of Malini (Parvati), perched on the rocky hills of the Ghagra and Ghai rivers in the Likabali sub-division.
The Parshuram Kund holds an all-India significance, drawing thousands of pilgrims during winter, particularly on Makar Sankranti, to cleanse themselves of sins through a sacred bath in the Kund’s waters. Local lore recounts a mythological tale wherein Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, sought redemption after inadvertently committing a grave sin. His actions led him to the banks of the Lohit River, where he cleansed his hands, and as he did so, the axe that had been affixed to his hand released its hold. This site, where Parashurama purified himself, evolved into a place of worship known as Parshuram Kund. While diverse stories of this event are recounted across different regions of India, this particular location holds special attraction for pilgrims.
The annual Makara Sankranti fair brings together hill tribes, showcasing items like wild cows, rare fur-rugs, and various curios. Additionally, opportunities for activities such as trekking from Tezu to Glow Lake, hiking, river rafting, and angling along the Lohit River add to the region’s tourism appeal.
In terms of connectivity, the nearest railway station is Tinsukia, around 160 km away, with available buses via Namsai. Buses can also be accessed from Sadiya. The closest airports are Tezu and Dibrugarh (Assam). While there’s no direct railway link to Parshuram Kund at present, efforts have been made to assess the feasibility of establishing a railway line in the region. A survey for a Rupai-Parshuram Kund broad gauge railway line has been completed, and a preliminary engineering-traffic survey for the Pasighat-Tezu-Parsuram Kund route was conducted in response to the state government’s request, indicating potential future enhancements to connectivity.