Nagshankar Temple:
Nagshankar, in northeastern Assam’s Biswanath district, has been designated a model temple for turtle conservation.
- It is an ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- It is situated on the north bank of the river Brahmaputra within the administrative district of Biswanath in Assam.
- It is said to have been built by King Narasankar of Nagakha in the 4th century AD.
- Later on it was repaired by Ahom king Su-sen-pha in 1480.
- The temple premises feature a large pond, which houses 250-300 of the world’s rarest species of turtles.
- Among the species, black softshell, Indian softshell, and Malayan softshell are found.
- Some of these turtles are even believed to be hundreds of years old.
- Its campus also has animals like peacocks, deer, and pythons.
