Kamakhya Temple , Guwahati

The Kamakhya Temple also konwn as Kamrup-Kamakhya is a most famous temple dedicated to the mother goddess Kamakhya. It is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Pithas, situated on the Nilachal Hill in western part of Guwahati city in Assam, India. It is the main temple in a complex of individual temples dedicated to the ten Mahavidyas: Kali, Tara, Sodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta,Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi andKamala. Among these, Tripurasundari, Matangi and Kamala reside inside the main temple whereas the other seven reside in individual temples. It is an important pilgrimage destination for general Hindu and especially for Tantric worshipers.

The Kamakhya Temple

Mythical History :

According to the stories of myths, they say that Kamakhya came into existence when an enraged Lord Shiva carried the burnt corpse of his wife Sati, and her yoni (female genitalia) fell to the ground at the same spot where the temple stands today.

Lord Shiva carried the burnt corpse of his wife Sati

The temple is a natural cave in itself with a spring deep inside, where the havans take place. Down a flight of steps to the bowel of earth, the sanctum sanatorium is settled inside a dark and enigmatic chamber. It indeed takes spirit and devotion to be in there! Draped in a red silk sari and covered with flowers is the matra yoni placed by the water spring.

Goddess Sculpture of Kamakhya Temple

This picture is not of the main temple is Assam as probably photography is not allowed within the main temple.This is the Kamakhya Yoni worshipped at the Kamakhya Temple in Devipuram, Andhra Pradesh

The original date of construction of Kamakhya Temple is unknown, however, its reconstruction took place after being destroyed in 16 CE by invaders. Initially it used to be an ancient sacrificial site. Sacrifices still are very much a part of worshiping here. A group of worshipers arrive every morning with goats to offer to Shakti.

The bleeding Goddess :

Kamakhya devi is famous as the bleeding goddess. The mythical womb and vagina of

Shakti are supposedly installed in the 'Garvagriha' or sanctum of the temple. In the month of Ashaad (June), the goddess bleeds or menstruates. At this time, the Brahmaputra river near Kamakhya turns red. The temple then remains closed for 3 days and holy water is distributed among the devotees of Kamakhya devi. There is no scientific proof that the blood actually turns the river red. Some people say that the priests pour vermilion into the waters. But symbolically, menstruation is the symbol of a woman's creativity and power to give birth. So, the deity and temple of Kamakhya celebrates this 'shakti' or power within every woman.

Durga Puja is the main celebration here. It is celebrated in a zealous manner annually between the months of September and October. A three day festival held in the temple attracts several visitors and devotees from far and wide. Also, a unique festival is observed here annually for the mother Goddess known as Ambuvaci or Ameti. It is a certain type of fertility festival that pays respect to the female energy.

Opening hours :

On an ordinary day, the temple remains open from 8 am till sunset, with a couple of hours break after 1.30 pm.