The legend giving rise to this name is that Kamdev, the god of love in Hindu mythology, after interrupting Shiva in the middle of a deep meditation on the islet, was burnt to ashes.
[1] The islet can be reached via a 10-minute ferry, available from Umananda Ghat, located near the Guwahati High Court.
According to Hindu mythology, Shiva created the island for his wife Parvati's happiness and pleasure.
According to a myth in Kalika Purana, Shiva burnt Kamadeva with his third eye on Umananda when he interrupted Shiva's deep meditation, hence its alternative name Bhasmachal (Assamese: bhasma, "ash"; and achal, "hill"; literally, "hill of ashes").
Monday is considered to be the holiest day in the temple and the new moon brings bliss to the pilgrims.