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The actual temple is dated 8th-9th A.D( Pre Ahom) built by the Kacharis. The present form of the temple was constructed under the reign of Ahom king Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha(1751-1769) in the later part of the 18th Century, after the original structure was devastated by natural calamities. A famous architect , Ghanasyam Khonikar, was given the responsibility of building the temple. Situated at the bank of river Dihing this holy place attracts most of the visitors throughout the year specially winter. This Sivadol is a famous tourist spot at Dergaon and is situated on a hillock.
The stones that are used to construct the temple were existed in the bank of river Dihing. Due to natural calamities the temple was destroyed and the remains were in deep forest called Gajapanemara. When Ahom king Susenpha knew about the ruined temple and the Shiva linga again he built the temple right on that foundation and established the linga.
After that, when the Dihing River changed the flow, again the temple was destroyed and merged into the river water. A devotee of lord Shiva found the place known as Sheetal Negheri that was the ruined temple and the linga in the shallow water of river Dihing. The linga was brought by Ahom king Rajeswar Singha from the river and reconstructed the present temple and the linga was established in it. According to legend a Rishi named Urba wanted to establish a second Kashi right on this place for which he collected lots of Shiva lingas there.
The place where the temple is located was once a bird locally known as Negheri and the place has come to be known as Negheriting. The monkeys are one of the attractions of the temple. The temple is the house of the rhesus monkeys where a sizeable population of this species is there.
A priest named Bhudhar Agamacharji was appointed by king Rajeswar Singha for proper maintenance of the temple and also for the rituals to be performed. The Agamacharji family still performs worship and other maintenance works regularly. Customs of performing songs and dances called Deonati were prominent there in the temple.
How To Reach Negheriting Temple :
1) By Road : It is about one and half km north from the National Highway 37 in Dergaon, Golaghat. Buses regularly ply from Guwahati and every parts of Assam regularly to Golaghat
2) By Rail : Nearest railway station is Golaghat Town.
3) By Air : Nearest airport is at Jorhat whic is around 60 km. away.
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