Kamakhya Temple of Assam – One of the most revered pilgrimages of India

Situated atop the Nilachal Hills, Kamakhya Temple is one of the most revered Shakti Peeths in India. It is associated with the tale of Daksha Yagna and Lord Shiva. The temple is located on the western part of the city of Guwahati. Residing on the Kamagiri hills, this Shakti Shrine finds its mention in Kalika Purana, which describes Kamakhya as the giver of deliverance, fulfiller of wishes and desires, and the young wife of lord Shiva, the destroyer. It is one of the most important Hindu Pilgrimages of India and is thronged by devotees from all across the globe, especially by tantric worshipers. The temple was earlier destroyed and in the 17th century, it was rebuilt by King Nara Narayana of Koch Dynasty. It is counted among the most revered and important Aadi Shakti Peeths of India and is mainly associated with tantric form of worship.

Kamakhya Temple of Assam

According to Hindu Mythology, the temple is associated with the story of Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva. She was the daughter of the mythological King, Daksha and fell in love of Shiva. She wanted to marry him but was opposed by her father, who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, who is known as the preserver of the universe. However, she defied her father and tied the nuptial knot with Shiva and lived with him. Once, King Daksha organized a huge yagna and invited all the Gods and Goddesses to attend it, except for his daughter Sati and her husband. When she heard about the yagna, she wanted to attend it but her husband Shiva was not in favor of it. Nevertheless, inspite of her husband’s disagreement, she went to the yagna, where she and her husband were insulted by her father. She could not take the insult of her husband and threw herself into the holy fire. Doing this, the yagna stopped as the fire became impure. Hearing the incident about Sati, Shiva got infuriated and appeared in the venue. He was grief stricken and carried the body of his beloved wife on his shoulder; he began his tandava in the heave. He swore to continue his dance until the body of his wife rots. In order to stop Shiva, Lord Vishnu took his Sudarshan Chakra and cut the body of Sati into pieces. The parts of Sati’s body fell in different parts and hence, the Shakti Peeths were formed. The Yoni or the Genitals of the Goddess fell in the place where Kamakhya temple has been built.

Kamakhya temple is also known as the temple of menstruating goddess as the genitals or the yoni of Aadi Shakti fell in this place. She is also considered as the important Goddess of tantric Worship and different legends are also associated with the temple. Within the vicinity of the main temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, different temples dedicated to “Dasa Mahavidya” are situated. Kamakhya is considered to be the most important and powerful of all. The main temple houses no idol of the Goddess and in a corner of the cave, which is situated inside the temple, an idol of the yoni has been sculpted, which is the object of worship. There is a natural spring inside the cave that keeps the stone moist.

Ambuvachi Mela is the most important festival celebrated in the temple. During this festival, it is believed that the Goddess undergoes menstrual period. The temple remains closed for three days; however, during this time the temple remains crowded with devotees from all over the globe. Besides this, Durga Puja and Manasa Puja are celebrated in the temple in a grand scale. Kamakhya is an important Hindu Pilgrimage of India and is a must-visit temple while on a visit to Guwahati.