Kamakhya Temple

Overview

The Kamakhya Temple likewise Kamrup-Kamakhya is a Hindu temple committed to the mother goddess Kamakhya. It is one of the most established of the 51 Shakti Pithas. Situated on the Nilachal Hill in western piece of Guwahati city in Assam, India, it is the primary temple in a complex of individual temples devoted to the ten Mahavidyas: Kali, Tara, Sodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamala. Among these, Tripurasundari, Matangi and Kamala dwell inside the fundamental temple though the other seven live in individual temples. It is a vital journey destination for General Hindu and particularly for Tantric admirers. There are some different temples of different goddess can be found in the complex. They are the Sitala Temple, the Lalita Kanta Temple, The Jaya Durga Temple, the Vana Durga Temple, the Rajarajesvari Temple, the Smasanakali temple, the kail temple of Abhayananda dharmashala and the Sankhesvari temple.

Roosted on the Nilachal Hill and neglecting the West of the Guwahati city, it is a standout amongst the oldest temples in the state. It is committed to goddess Sati, an epitome of goddess Durga and the consort of Lord Shiva. The temple gloats of having medieval style structure that speaks to commitments of the Koch Royal Family. Attributable to an old tale, the temple was dismissed yet it picked up notoriety amid the standard of the Ahom lords, who were fervent followers of Shakti. A one of a kind part of this temple is the technique for worship, which includes both conventional practices and also a neighborhood indigenous way. By famous Assamese researcher, Banikanta Kakati, the temple keeps on taking after antiquated practices of pig yields that were a critical part of the "Gora" tribes in the area. Indeed, even today, amid the bubbly season, this hallowed place draws in many 'Hindu-tantra' devotees. The article beneath gives you a definite portrayal on the history and criticalness of the Kamakhya Temple.

For the numerous guests, this temple is the main motivation to visit Guwahati. It is accepted to be 2000 years of age, yet in such a long presence, it was crushed and constructed a few times. The present structure is around 500 years of age. This temple is committed to Mata Kamakhya Devi (otherwise called Shakti). It is likewise a noteworthy journey community for Tantric Worshippers in India.

Kamakhya Temple is a critical journey destination for all groups of Hindus and particularly for Tantric admirers.The temple remembers Hindu Goddess Sati in her part of Kamakhya Devi. Goddess Kamakhya is otherwise called Sodashi in the nearby district.

The temple is all that much old in its root, yet it was rebuilt in 1665, when it was assaulted by the Muslim intruders. The exertion of this king so as to remake was made Nar Narayan of Cooch, Bihar. The tower of this temple is molded like an apiary. Other than Kamakhya Devi, there are pictures of Ganesha, Chamundeswari and different moving models. In the temple, a picture of the King and related engravings are noticeable.

Amid the event of Navratri (Sep-Oct), a three day celebration pulls in a huge number of explorers. This celebration is known as Ambuvaci (Ameti), which is one of a kind with its own hugeness. For the length of time of this ripeness celebration, the Goddess is said to experience her menstrual period. As of right now of time, the temple is shut for three days and before shutting, white sheets are hung inside the temple.

At the point when the temple is opened following three days, the sheets are discovered red in shading. On the fourth day, extraordinary party is watched. Devotees from far and close, come to visit this temple at this crossroads of the celebration. The red sheets are attacked pieces and circulated amongst the enthusiasts. Kamakhya Temple is an unmistakable journey site that draws in a huge number of guests consistently.

The Kamakhya Devi Temple is a characteristic hollow temple where a spring is found at all times. By, this temple accept extraordinary centrality since when the Goddess did benevolence numerous years back, her genital organ, known as Yoni, fell at the spot where the temple stands now. The dull hollow temple can be come to by taking a flight of steep stairs. The Goddess is not accessible in any structure inside this.

Antiquated writings show that Goddess Kamakhya Devi was effective and that She makes every one of her followers’ wishes work out as expected. Assam, as such, was known as "Kamarupa Desa" - an area where Tantric hones and worship of Goddess Shakti were imperative. The Goddess is characterized as Lord Shiva's consort, advocate of salvation and one who concedes every one of Her devotees’ wishes, in the Kalika Purana.

The second legend goes that Narakasur, the devil lord of Pragjyotishpur (The antiquated name of Guwahati as indicated by legendary engravings) enchanted by the hypnotizing excellence of Devi Kamakhya, began to look all starry eyed at her and proposed her to wed him. Devi Kamakhya keeping in mind the end goal to avert the devil, put a condition before him, that she would wed him just in the event that he built a temple for her inside of a compass of one night. Narakasur floated by the possibility of being in wedlock with the Goddess, began in his try to build the temple. He was verging on fruitful in his mission when Devi understood the risk and tricked the evil spirit by bringing a hen and making it to shout out pronouncing the onset of morning. Narakasur understood that he was misled and pursued the hen to execute it. After much ado he got the hen and executed it in a spot called Kukurakata (a spot where hens are butchered). In this manner the temple was built by Narakasur.

Deity Overview

In the holy place, Kamakhya Devi, as genital organ (yoni), directs as a major cleft in the bedrock. The Goddess is secured normally by a current of water spouting upward from an underground spring. The cleft is normally secured with sari, blooms and vermilion powder (Sindoor). The temple had been an antiquated conciliatory site and till date, penances are offered here. Each morning, gathering of enthusiasts come to give up goats.

Goddess Shakthi favors devotees who come here, as a female genital organ or Yoni. This is only an opening on the bed rock that is revered by the general population offering so as to come here saris, blooms and sindoor. This opening or hole is obviously secured by water that spouts in the upward heading from a spring that is discovered underground. The temple is known for its penances and numerous devotees conduct penances of goats here, even today, amid the morning hours.

Place Overview

The Kamakhya temple is arranged on the Nilanchal slopes, eight hundred meters above ocean level and disregarding the strong Brahmaputra waterway. It is around eight kilometers west from the heart of the city of Guwahati in Assam.

About the Temple

The Kamakhya Temple in Assam is a standout amongst the most revered Shakti places of worship in India, and is viewed as one of the Shakti Peethams connected with the legend of Shiva and Daksha Yagna.

Kamakhya is situated on a slope - Neelachala Parvat or Kamagiri close to the city of Guwahati in Assam. Shakti, dwelling on the Kamagiri slope is known as Kamakhya, the granter of longings. Assam customarily has been known as the Kamarupa Desa and has been connected with Tantric rehearses and Shakti worship.

This temple was devastated in mid sixteenth century, and after that modified in the seventeenth century by King Nara Narayana, of Cooch Bihar. Pictures of the manufacturer and related engravings are found in the temple.

Legend has it that taking after the pulverization of Daksha's penance and the Rudra Tandava of Shiva parts of Sati's body fell at a few spots all through India, and these spots are respected as Shakti peethas. The conceptive organ of Sati, (the Yoni) is said to have fallen here.

Legend likewise has it that the preeminent innovative force of Bhrahma was tested by Shakti, the mother Goddess, and that Bhrahma could from that point make, just with the gifts of the Yoni, as the sole imaginative guideline. After much repentance, Bhrahma cut down a radiant collection of light from space and put it inside of the Yoni circle, which was made by the Goddess and put at Kamarupa.

The temple has a colony like shikhara. A portion of the formed boards seen here are of hobby. There are pictures of Ganesha, Chamundeswari, and moving fitures and so on.There is no picture of Shakti here. Inside of a side of a collapse the temple, there is a sculptured picture of the Yoni of the Goddess, which is the object of respect. A characteristic spring keeps the stone wet. Different temples on the Neelachala slope incorporate those of Tara, Bhairavi, Bhuvaneswari and Ghantakarna.

There are 51 shakti peethas in various parts of India and additionally in Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The Kamakhya Shakti Peeth is considered as the most capable shakti peeth, as yoni (vagina) of Goddess Sati had fallen on the Neelanchal parvat i.e. the Nilgiri slopes, taking after part of the Goddess dead body. Following everybody results in these present circumstances world through "yoni" that is the reason this spot is considered as the inside purpose of making the entire Brahmand.

This shaktipeeth temple is arranged on the slope in the Guwahati City in Assam, India. Found only 4Km from the railroad station and 18Km from the air terminal, the temple complex is devoted to Ten Mahavidyas i.e. Bhuvaneshwari (at most extreme tallness), Baglamukhi, Chinnamasta, Tara, Kali, Bhairavi, Dhumvati, Tripur Sundari, Matangi and Kamla. The three Devi i.e. Tripur Sundari, Kamla and Matangi live inside the fundamental temple committed to Kamakhya. The most vital part of the temple is the "Garbhagriha" which is a hole underneath right around 20 feet starting from the earliest stage. The "Garbhagriha" is little, dull and came to by tight soak stone steps.

Temple Architecture

The Sanctum is really a hollow, which comprises of no picture, yet a characteristic spring that moves through, a yoni formed separated in bedrock, secured the distance with a major silver arch on which blossom mala, sindur, chunri, sari, prassad and so on are offered by the pujari staying there. The sacrosanct water coming through yoni formed rock is considered as the most intense Jal, which if taken consistently in the wake of having darshan, offers moksh to the bhakt. A large portion of the rishis like Vasishth, Vamakhepa, Vishwamitra, Bhardwaj, Ramkrishna Paramhans and so on came here for having this otherworldly Jal for getting Moksha. The Goddess is adored by Vamachar and additionally Dakshinachar methods of worship.

Most Powerful Tantric Peeth

Apart from Ten Mahavidya temples, there are shiva temples likewise there named Kotilinga Mahadev, Kameshwar Mahadev, Sidheswra Mahadev however not in icon structure. So here yoni and linga is worshipped which is must in Tantric pooja. So it is exceptionally well known saying that no tantric is finished without going by the Kamkhya Temple. Since this is the most effective tantric peeth, creature penances is an absolute necessity for getting tantric siddhis. Creatures incorporates male little goats, wild ox and so on The temple draws in lacs and lacs of tantric enthusiasts in a yearly celebrations known as Ambubachi Mela, Manasha Puja and so on

The current auxiliary temple, manufactured and redesigned commonly in the period eighth seventeenth century, offered ascend to a half and half indigenous style that is some of the time called the Nilachal sort: a temple with a hemispherical arch on a cruciform base.The temple comprises of four chambers: garbhagriha and three mandapas privately called calanta, pancharatna and natamandira adjusted from east to west.

Garbhagriha

The garbhagriha has a pancharatha plan that lies on plinth moldings that are like the Surya Temple at Tezpur. On top of the plinths are dados from a later period which are of the Khajuraho or the Central Indian sort, comprising of depressed boards rotating with pilasters. The boards have delightful molded Ganesha and other Hindu divine beings and goddesses. Though the lower segment is of stone, the shikhara fit as a fiddle of a polygonal colony such as arch is made of block, which is normal for temples in Kamrup. The shikhara is hovered by various minaret motivated angashikharas of Bengal sort charchala. The Shikhara, angashikharas and different chambers were inherent the sixteenth century and after.

The internal sanctum, the garbhagriha, is subterranean level and comprises of no picture however a stone crevice fit as a fiddle of a yoni.The garbhagriha is little, dull and came to by limited steep stone steps. Inside the hole there is a sheet of stone that slants downwards from both sides meeting in a yoni-like sadness somewhere in the range of 10 creeps profound. This empty is always loaded with water from an underground lasting spring. It is the vulva-formed dejection that is worshiped as the goddess Kamakhya herself and considered as most imperative pitha (dwelling place) the Devi.

The garbhaghrihas of alternate temples in the Kamakhya complex take after the same structure a yoni-molded stone, loaded with water and subterranean level.The adhisthana of the Kamakhya temple demonstrates that the first temple was of Nagara style.The shikhara is of sort regular to medieval Assam, ringed by a bunch of angashikhara of Bengal charchala.

Calanta, Pancharatna, and Natamandir

The temple comprises of three extra chambers. The principal toward the west is the calanta, a square assembly of sort atchala (like the 1659 Radha-Vinod Temple of Bishnupur. The passageway to the temple is by and large by means of its northern entryway, that is of Ahom sort dochala. It houses a little mobile symbol of the Goddess, a later expansion, which clarifies the name. The dividers of this chamber contain etched pictures of Naranarayana, related engravings and other gods. It leads into the garbhagriha by means of plummeting steps.

The pancharatna toward the west of calanta is substantial and rectangular with a level rooftop and five littler shikharas of the same style as the principle skhikara. The center shikhara is marginally greater than the other four.

The natamandira stretches out toward the west of the pancharatna with an apsidal end and furrowed top of the Ranghar sort Ahom style. Its inside dividers bear engravings from Rajeswar Singha (1759) and Gaurinath Singha (1782), which demonstrate the period this structure was assembled.

Worship

It is likely this is an old Khasi conciliatory site, and worshiping here still incorporates penances. Devotees come each morning with goats to offer to Shakti.

The Kalika Purana, an old work in Sanskrit depicts Kamakhya as the yielder of all longings, the youthful lady of Shiva, and the provider of salvation.

The worship of all female divinity in Assam symbolizes the ""combination of beliefs and practices"" of Aryan and non-Aryan components in Assam. The distinctive names connected with the goddess are names of nearby Aryan and non-Aryan goddesses.The Yogini Tantra specifies that the religion of the Yogini Pitha is of Kirata origin. According to Banikanta Kakati, there existed a convention among the ministers built up by Naranarayana that the Garos, a matrilineal individuals, offered worship at the before Kamakhya site by relinquishing pigs.

The goddess is worshiped by the Vamachara (Left-Hand Path) and in addition the Dakshinachara (Right-Hand Path) methods of worship. Offerings to the goddess are typically blooms, however may incorporate creature penances. By and large female creatures are excluded from penance, a guideline that is casual amid mass penances.

Inside of the Temple Journey

In the wake of entering in the temple, all kind of lines converge in a solitary line at a point outside the fundamental sanctum. This room is additionally the part of the old temple complex. From that point, everyone take after a solitary line to the fundamental sanctum.

Coming to Garbhagriha or Inner Sanctum

The garbhagriha of the temple is essentially a hollow, beneath the ground level. It is little, dull and came to by tight soak stones from the corridor where a wide range of passage lines blend. The way is narrow to the point that two man can not go from one next to the other serenely without rubbing the shoulders. Just 2-3 little lights arrive inside the cavern, so it is difficult to see anything unmistakably.

Inside the garbhagriha, there is no picture or form, yet a vagina-molded rock gap, around 10 crawls profound, that is considered as fundamental god. It typically stays secured with the blossoms and different offerings. For the most part, its exceptionally hard to see that stone gap in view of the obscurity. The honor rock-gap is reliably loaded with an underground water spring. Individuals additionally used to gather some water in the little jugs to convey back with them.

Performing a Special Prayer

There are part of individuals known as Pandas are accessible in temple complex to perform an extraordinary pooja or custom for the enthusiasts. In their orange attire, they are plainly unmistakable close to the fundamental passage. Pandas for the most part charge a substantial expense to perform the pooja. Better to arrange the cost ahead of time before contracting them for an extraordinary pooja.

Other Important Landmarks outside the Main Temple: There are numerous individual temples in the temple premises of Kamakhya Temple, committed to ten Mahavidyas. Out of ten mahavidyas, three live inside the fundamental temple and the other seven dwell in individual temples scattered in the premises. A hallowed lake is likewise there, however nowadays, water is exceptionally messy in that pool.

Other vital spots inside the temple premises are:

Place for Lighting Diyas

A stamped spot is the there to light diyas and incense.There are 7-8 columns of stands accessible for this reason.

Spot to Offer Coconut

A different spot arrives to offer coconuts. A metal chamber is settled on a wooden barrel where individuals breaks their coconut and offer it to the goddess.

Spot to Tie the Thread

There is likewise a tree to tie the string, that individuals by and large do on account of some mannat (wish).

Spot to perform Sacrifice Rituals

This temple is a noteworthy focal point of Tantric ceremonies in India. Because of this, countless with creature (especially goats) penances happen regular. Enthusiasts come each morning with goats to offer to Devi Shakti. Devotees can likewise purchase these creatures from the temple premises.

There is a major corridor in the temple premises, where this custom happens. A wooden piece fitted with the device to cut the leader of the creatures is plainly obvious in the corridor. In the morning, when temple premises was being washed, we could see the blood all over the place, in each side of the channels spread around the penance corridor and primary temple building.

Srichakram in Kamakya Temple

Sri Yantra, the image of Tantrikism or Tranta. It may be a misguided judgment that Tantrik religions are over and finished with, for the quintessence of despite everything it keeps on winning rather straightforwardly in West Bengal and Assam. While Kalighat and Tarapeeth may have been huge habitats for such practices the seat of old tantricism is at Kamakhya Devi temple, Kamarupa Assam. This is the most vital of all the Shakti Peethas in India. Kamakhya devi hallowed place has the yoni of Sati that fell here after the obliteration of Daksha's penance. This Shakti Peetha symbolizes the union of Shiva with Shakti, as depicted in the Kali Purana. They are delineated in consistent union where Kamakhya is the Goddess of longing, who stipends salvation. She is the youthful spouse of Lord Shiva and together they symbolize the eminent reality of the supernatural occurrence of life, the everlasting ecstasy of male/female union.

This temple is arranged on a slope that neglects the Brahmaputra stream. The inward sanctum is a profound dim underground rough load into which one slips by a flight of steep steps. The "Matra Yoni" which is recorded on a stone is secured with silk sarees and is always clammy by underground spring water. Tantrik faction is an alternate sort of religion where the conventionality of ordinary customs and male predominance over the female took an enormous beating. In tantricism, it's the inverse where the female is given significantly more significance and is connected with Shakti. This is reflected in all their peculiar custom practices. There is a profound partition between routine worship and tantrik venerate.

In ordinary worship, a lady is considered as "polluted" amid her 3 day month to month cycle, further to which she is practically regarded as an untouchable in old brahmin conventions as yet winning today. In Tantrik revere, the greater part of the ceremonies including start are focused on the 3 days, this period being the most imperative period where the lady is viewed as most immaculate and an incarnation of Shakti. This is clear from different references made in Tantric writings. The vast majority of the tantrik writings have been found around the districts of Kamarupa, proposing exceptionally solid commonness of this faction around the Kamakhya Devi temple. The Yoni Tantra hails from Cooch Bihar yet the majority of the Kaul Tantras began from Kamarupa. The soonest thorough references made to the most essential component of Tantrik custom, called Yoni Tattva in the Kaula Tantra are given in the Kaula Jnana Nirnaya by Matsyendranath.

About the Deity

Kamakya Idol

The principle temple is committed to Devi Kamakhya, the Mother Shakti or Goddess Durga .There is no icon of the managing divinity however she is revered as a yoni-like stone rather over which a characteristic spring streams.

Icon type of Kamakhya

Kamakhya is imagined as a youthful goddess, 16 years of age, with twelve arms and six heads (five looking front and one on of them) of fluctuating hues, speaking to an effective goddess who is transcendent, omniscient and inescapable. She is elaborately dressed, ordinarily wearing a red sari, extravagant gems and red blooms, for example, hibiscus. She holds in each of ten hands a lotus, trident, sword, ringer, plate, bow, bolts, club or staff, spur, and shield. Her staying two hands hold a dish, which is made of either gold or a skull. She is situated upon a lotus, which rises up out of the navel of the cadaver of Shiva, who thus lies on a lion.

There are ten steep strides down into the Sanctum Sanctorum, which is lit by oil lights just.

The yoni exists as an extensive split in the round rock, secured by water springing upward, continually, from an underground spring. Devotees see the spring yet not the split, as it is secured by a red material, blooms, and red sindur powder. A shawl alongside this displays offerings of 500 and 100-rupee notes.

Why individuals adore Kamakhya

Kamakhya is a critical Tantric mother goddess firmly related to Kali and Maha Tripura Sundari, as per the Tantric writings (Kalikapurana Stotra, Yoginitantram) that are the premise for her worship. Her name implies renowned goddess of yearning.' As Kamakhya is connected with fruitfulness, numerous childless couples additionally throng the temple consistently. In Kalika Purana (an antiquated sacred text), Kamakhya is alluded as the goddess who satisfies all wishes, the spouse of Lord Shiva and the advocate of salvation. Kamakhya is one of the 51 Shakthi Peetas of the sub-landmass where Durga is worshipped in numerous structures.

Every one of the ceremonies connected with the worship of Devi and Shiva are seen at the temple. The Yoni is revered confronting North, in spite of the fact that the temple is confronting east. The stone is secured with a sari, embellished with blossoms and vermillion. Goddess is worship by (left hand way or Tantric) and Dakshinachara (right hand way or the normal type of worship.) Flowers and now and again creatures, for example, goats, pigs, wild oxen and so on are offered to the god. For the most part, female creatures are not offered to the divinity when in doubt. Amid the antiquated times, it was a Khasi or conciliatory site. Devotees come in large numbers and offer goats to assuage Devi Kamakhya even right up 'til the present time.

A point deserving of taking note of is that while the principle offerings to the Goddess are blossoms, creature penances are additionally still regular.

Sub Deities

Ganesha icons

The premises flourish with goats that stroll at wish and pigeons that make homes in the overhang of the etched outside. Offering space to them are the sadhus who eye guests with a sleep inducing look. I was wonderstruck at the reserve of bronze ringers of different sizes that hung near to offerings by the droves of devotees who throng here for extraordinary favors.

Legend and Stories

Vatsyayana, a Vedic Sage in Varanasi amid the later first Century was drawn nearer by the King in the Himalayan locale (now Nepal) to discover an answer for proselyte the tribals and their customs of human penance to an all the more socially acknowledged worship. The Sage proposed the worship of a tantric goddess Tara that spread towards the eastern Himalayan belt till the Garo Hills where the tribals worshipped a ripeness "yoni" goddess 'Kameke'. It was much later in the later Brahaminical period Kalika Purana that most tantric goddess were identified with the legend of "Shakti" and started to be mistakenly revered as a "devi" by the Hindus.

By Kalika Purana, Kamakhya Temple indicates the spot where Sati used to resign in mystery to fulfill her worship with Shiva, and it was additionally the spot where her yoni fell after Shiva hit the dance floor with the cadaver of Sati. This is not substantiated in the Devi Bhagavata, which records 108 spots connected with Sati's body, however Kamakhya finds a notice in a supplementary list. The Yogini Tantra, a last work, overlooks the inception of Kamakhya given in Kalika Purana and partners Kamakhya with the goddess Kali and underscores the inventive imagery of the yoni.

By, the Kamakhya Temple is said to be the mystery place where Sati and Shiva used to meet. Another story expresses that it was the precise spot where Sati's "yoni" fell when Shiva was conveying back her body. "Kamakhya" is specified in the old Sanskrit content, Kalika Purana and it refers to this is a representation of Kali's vulva. Then again, the temple's structure was said to be raised by King Chilarai, a relative of the Koch family, in 1565. Be that as it may, after its development, it was trusted that the Koch Bihar Royal individuals were removed from entering the temple by the goddess herself. In parts of the Nilachal Hill, the Kamakhya temple is said to have experienced numerous progressions without the illustrious family's support. In 1658, while King Jayadhvaj Singha (of the Ahom line), grabbed the lower portion of the city, the temple got the consideration of these rulers who restored the spot to its present structure. In the next years, successors of this administration got to be impassioned followers of Shaktism and Shaivism. In 1714, when Siba Singha came into force, he gave over the obligation of temple supervision to Krishnaram Bhattacharyya who was the head minister then.

Fanciful Legend

It was the spot where the yoni (vagina) of Goddess Sati felt amid the tandav nritya (move) of Lord Shiva with the blazing assortment of Goddess Sati. The legend does a reversal to the season of The Great Yagya, composed by the King Daksha. He welcomed each striking individual in the universe, with the exception of his girl Sati and her spouse Lord Shiva. Regardless of the unwillingness of Lord Shiva, Sati went to her dad's home, just to get embarrassment and shame. In the sadness and outrage, she relinquished her body at the sacred place of the yagya.

At the point when Lord Shiva heard this news, he came there and demolished the yagya. In the fury of losing her darling wife, he gazed the Tandav Nritya , with the smoldering group of Sati. Due to this, the parts of the blazing body began falling on the earth one by one and that way, 51 shaktipeethas came in presence at 51 better places, for the most part in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Another history laids back with Narakasura. Gauhati is beforehand called as Kama rupa, Hari kshetra, Pragjyotisha pura and so forth. This is the capital of an evil presence named, Narakasura. Master Vishnu kílled an evil presence named Hiranyaksha, as Swetha varaha and spared earth. In any case, it is Tamasika avathara and he couldn't understand his own state. He wedded Bhu devi(The Goddess of Earth) and spent life on earth.

One shouldn't get sexual emotions in the season of Sunset. In any case, they didn't took after that lead, which brought about a child, who is an evil spirit by character. Bhu devi pr?yed Lord Vishnu to offer shelters to her child. Vishnu kept a name, Naraka, and made him as a ruler to the Pragjyotisha pura. He advised to Bhu devi that Naraka turns out to be awful and he will be kílled to spare the world.

Bhu devi prayed Vishnu a considerable measure and got a guarantee from him that Naraka ought to end up interminable unless kílled by her. Vishnu left the type of Varaha and went to Vaikuntha. Goddess Kamakhya is considered as the Maya rupa of Bhu devi. Naraka worshiped Goddess Kamakhya and he got a ton of vitality. He led the world for some Yugas. He caught sixteen thousand sovereigns and getting a charge out of with them without wanting to. He made companion ship with Banasura. Banasura digressed him from the worship of the Goddess Kamakhya. He told that Kamakhya is additionally an unmarried young lady and Naraka can wed her.

One day night, Naraka watched Goddess Kamakhya moving in her temple. He drew nearer her and requested that wed him. She chuckled at him and told that it will happen if Naraka builds temple, tank, and stair case from the foot of Nilachal slope to her place, before that night's over. Naraka got spiritualist forces by worshiping her. He began quick and verging on finished the assignment. Ruler Vishnu showed up in the structure a cock(fowl) and group, which is considered as the beginning of the day. Naraka got to be disappointed, pursued and kílled that fowl. In the mean while the day truly came. Naraka neglected to achieve the objective and got furious on Goddess Kamakhya. Kamakhya vanished from that place.

The fragmented stair case is called as Mekhelauja way. The spot where Naraka kílled the fowl is called as Kukurakata chaki. It is arranged in the region of Darrang. Naraka stealed the Ear rings of Deva matha Adithi(Mother of Lord Indra). This turned into a major affront for all divine beings. Around then Lord Vishnu and Bhu devi incarnated as Sri Krishna and Satya bhama. Indra pr?yed Sri Krishna to kíll Narakasura.

Sri Krishna ran with Satya bhama to kíll Narakasura. Goddess Kamakhya accompanied them. Satya bhama didn't recollect Narakasura as her child. Narakasura addresses her in an awful manner. She got to be furious and kílled Narakasura by an Astra given by Lord Sri Krishna. All the sixteen thousand sovereigns communicated their yearning to wed Sri Krishna. He wedded every one of them. Bhaga datta, the child of Naraka was made as the ruler of Pragjyotisha pura, by Lord Sri Krishna.

Most Popular Legend

Once when Parvati's dad King Daksha composed a yagna, he didn't welcome his little girl and child in-law to take part in it. Parvati, who was furious at this treatment of her dad, went to her dad's place to approach the explanation behind it. Daksha offended Parvati again by calling Shiva poor and wild. Being the perfect consort of Shiva, Parvati couldn't bear the way that her spouse was being offended before the visitors. She quickly hopped into the yagna fire out of disgrace and outrage and executed herself. Knowing this, Lord Shiva, turned out to be exceptionally furious and went to Daksha's castle. On seeing the dead body of his wife, he was enraged to the point that, he lifted the body on his shoulder and began moving the tandav (the move of pulverization). The move proceeded for a few days and the earth was on the very edge of being obliterated.

At that point, on the advance of the various divine beings and goddesses, Lord Vishnu with the assistance of his chakra, began cutting Goddess Parvati's body. It is said that the parts of Parvati's body fell at various parts of the nation, which are all considered focuses of force or Shakti peeth. The conceptive organ of Goddess Parvati is said to have fallen on the Neelachal slope in Guwahati and that is the place the Kamakhya temple stands now.

Other legend

The Sri Bramanda-puranam and Matsya Puranam talk about this abode of Vishnu's. They say that in ancient times, it was called Mohana-Kshetram. According to these puranas, once, all devas went to Vishnu Loga. They all prayed to the lord and asked for the boon that they should not die for ever and remain immortal. Sri Mahavishnu granted them the boon. For this Vishnu told Brahma and the other gods that they should have a temporary truce with the demons. and the two sides should get together to churn the ocean. Vishnu would ensure that the devas benefited more from this churning of the ocean than the demons did. The truce was agreed upon and the two sides got ready to churn the ocean. The mountain Mandara was used as a churning rod and great snake Vasuki as the rope for churning. The devas grasped Vasuki’s tail and the demons grasped Vasuki’s head.

As the churning began, the mountain Mandara which had no base, started to get immersed in the ocean. Lord Vishnu came to the rescue. He took the form of a turtle and the peak was raised and balanced on the turtle’s back. As the churning continued, terrible poison named kalakuta emerged from the depths of the ocean and was swallowed by Shiva. Shiva’s throat became blue from this poison and he is therefore known as Nilakantha, blue of throat. The goddess Varuni, the goddess of wine (sura), came out next. The gods readily accepted her and thus they came to be known as suras. But the demons rejected Varuni and were therefore known as asuras. She was followed by the Parijata tree, a beautiful tree that came to occupy the pride of place in Indra’s garden. A jewel named koustubha emerged and was accepted by Vishnu as his adornment. Three wonderful animals came out next - the cow Kapila, the horse Ucchaishrava and the elephant Airavata. They were followed by the apsaras, beautiful women who became the dancers in the heaven. They were known as apsaras because they emerged from ap (water).

Finally the goddess Lakshmi or Shri came out next and was united with Vishnu. Dhanvantari emerged with a pot of nectar (Amirtha the life - giving drink) in his hands. Dhanvantari was the originator of medicine (ayurveda). The demons led by Jambha gave half of the amrita to the devas and departed with the remaining half. But Vishnu quickly took the form of a beautiful woman. So beautiful was the woman that the demons were charmed. “Pretty lady,” they said. “ take this amrita and serve it to us. Marry us.” Vishnu accepted the amrita, but he had no intention of giving it to the demons. He served it to the gods instead. There was only one demon who was somewhat clever. His name was Rahu. He disguised himself in the form of Chandra, the moon-god, and succeeded in drinking some of the amrita. The sun-god and the moon-god noticed what was happening and reported it to Vishnu. Vishnu thereupon cut off Rahu’s head with a sword. But Rahu had drunk the amrita, so he could not die. He prayed to Vishnu and Vishnu granted him a boon. The boon was that occasionally Rahu would be permitted to swallow up the sun and the moon. The gods obtained the amrita and the demons did not. Thus, the gods became immortal. Since the Lord incarnated as Mohini this place came to be known as Mohini-Kshetram. Later this name has been changed as Mogoor.

Festivals at Kamakhya Temple

Several Festivals are celebrated inside Kamakhya Temple including Ambubachi Mela, Durga Puja and Manasha Puja. Durga Puja is held during October-November every year at Kamakhya Temple. This is a Five Day Festival which attracts several thousands of visitors. The Ambubachi Mela is held in July every year. This is a 4-Day Festival, when visitors from all corner of country arrive here to have a glimpse of the Goddess at the end of 4 Days. Three main festivals which are conducted in Kamakhya temple are,

Navaratri

This famous festival will be conducted in the month of Ashviyja.

Deva dhvani(Debaddhani)

This festival is conducted for Manasa devi, in the months of Jyeshtha, Ashadha, Sravana, and Bhadrapada and also during the times of pestilence and disease. The name of this festival came from the tremendous sound produced by the instruments, such as Drum, Dhole etc., used in it.

Ambubachi Mela

Ambubachi Mela is the most celebrated annual festival at Kamakhya Devi Temple. It is celebrated generally during monsoon season in the Assamese month of Ahaar, around the middle of June. The Goddess under goes menstrual period for three days starting from Sapthami, in the month of Ashadha ( Around 23rd to 25th of June). The water of the natural spring turns red, called as Menstrual fluid. The Yoni shila will be covered with a cloth and the temple closed for those three days.It is believed to be inauspicious to till the ground or to plant seeds during this period. On the fourth day a great festival is conducted. The sindhur and the parts of the cloth, are considered as the blessings of the Goddess and are used in Tantrik pujas.So, this annual celebration marks the yearly menstruation course of goddess Kamakhya. Lots of sacrifice rituals are being performed at the temple during this festival.

Aarti / Poojas

Kanya Pujan

For Vedic Sadhak Kanya Pujan, Kanya bhojan is a must apart from offering Puja to Kamakhya Devi as per Vedic methods. This temple is a major center of Tantric rituals in India. Due to this, a large number of rituals with animal (particularly goats) sacrifices take place every day. Devotees come every morning with goats to offer to Devi Shakti. Devotees can also buy these animals from the temple premises. There is a big hall in the temple premises, where this ritual takes place. A wooden slab fitted with the tool to cut the head of the animals is clearly visible in the hall.

Temple Timings

The temple is open from 08:00 am to 01:00 pm and then from 02:30 pm to 05:30 pm.

• 05:30 AM - Snana of the Pithasthana.
• 06:00 AM - Nitya puja.
• 08:00 AM - Temple door open for devotees.
• 01:00 PM - Temple door closed for cooked offerings to the goddess followed by distribution among the devotees.
• 02:30 PM - Temple door reopens for the devotees.
• 05:30 PM - Aarati of Goddess followed by closing of the temple door for the night.

Prasad and other Souvenirs

There are series of shops on the both sides of the temple lane that starts at least 300 meters before temple.There are shops near the temple gate to buy prasad. Typical offerings include a coconut, a packet of lachidana, a chunri, a small box of sindoor and some incenses.

Accommodation

There are no full-fledged hotel facilities in the temple premises. Loding and food facility is offered by the local people to the devotees with minimum charges. There are room with proper sanitation facility available for rent to the devotees for limited period of time.

Rare Facts

The incomplete staircase to the temple

An Asura or demon named Naraka fell in love with Goddess Kamakhya. He wanted to marry her. Goddess Kamakhya who was not interested in Naraka put forward a condition to him that he should build a staircase within one night from the bottom of the Nilachal hill to the temple. If the staircase was built then she would surely marry him. Naraka accepted the condition and tried by all means to get a staircase constructed within one night. Just as it was about to get complete, Maa Kamakhya became tense and decided to play a trick. She strangled a cock and made it to cry so that it appeared that the night had ended. Naraka thought that he could not complete the staircase before morning and left it half-done. Even today, the staircase is incomplete and is known as Mekhelauja path. Most of the pilgrims use this staircase to reach the temple, though there is also a finely paved and pitched road to reach the temple by cars and buses.

No image of the Shakti

This is one temple where we won’t find any sculpture of Maa Shakti. We will simply find the sculptured image of the yoni of the goddess in a corner of the cave in the temple, and this is the main object of reverence.

Natural spring

It is strange that even today, a natural spring keeps the yoni moist. The spring water flows through the yoni-shaped cleft in the bedrock.

The bleeding goddess

The Kamakhya temple is also popular as the bleeding goddess or the menstruating goddess. It is said that in the month of June or Ashaad, the goddess bleeds or menstruates. The natural spring water in the yoni or the sanctum turns red during this time.

The Main Shrine

The main shrine or the yoni is installed in the middle chamber of the temple. Pilgrims move slowly into the dark sanctum sanctorum, which is a narrow alley. After taking few flights of stairs in the alley, we will find a very small-sized pool, where natural spring water flows. Pilgrims squat by the pool’s edge and offer their prayers here. There we can see the symbolic yoni organ that remains covered with a red cloth.

The Great Ambubachi Mela

The great Ambubachi mela, also known as the fertility festival, takes place in the Kamakhya temple in the month of June for five days. During this time, the temple remains closed for three days and it is believed that the Goddess menstruates. In fact, the devotees from various parts of the country start staying in the temple premises from the first day itself, singing songs of glory in praise of the Goddess. They wait for three days and nights and when the doors of the temple open on the fourth day, thousands of devotees come inside to offer their prayers. Holy water is then distributed among the devotees of Kamakhya devi.

No Scientific Proof

Till today, there is no scientific evidence why the water actually turns red. But menstruation is the symbol of a woman’s power to give birth. So, whatever the cause, the Kamakhya temple celebrates this ‘shakti’ or power within every woman.

Significance

Hugeness

The real fascination of the Kamakhya temple is the strategy for worship which is curious contrasted with different hallowed places in India. This heavenly place is a union of both Aryan and non-Aryan rehearses embraced by the temple. The goddess of Kamakhya is worshipped in two distinct ways: the Vamachara way which entirely takes after the acts of the Vedas and the Dakshinachara way which don't take after the heterodox systems. Offerings, for example, blooms, foods grown from the ground scarifies are an imperative piece of worship. The Kamakhya altar has a novel basic style that is molded as an apiary encompassed by various models of various divine beings. The buildings are said to be inherent the medieval style. The temple comprise of three hallowed places, one has the primary god while the other two have icons of the divine beings. The primary chamber where the worship[ is completed is said to be a stone fit as a fiddle of a "yoni" with normal spring water going through it. Amid the Ambuvaci celebration, the water is said to be red looking like the menstrual liquid of a lady. The best time to visit the temple is in the happy month of June to commend the fruitfulness of the goddess. Devotees can likewise visit the spot between the months of September and October to partake in the five day festivities of Durga Puja.

Kamakhya Devi is otherwise called the Bleeding Goddess. Each year, amid the month of June or Ashaad, the temple is shut for 3 days as the Goddess is accepted to bleed amid this time. The womb and vagina that is venerated in the sanctum sanctorum are evidences to this. Amid this time, the Brahmaputra River close to the Kamakhya Devi temple turns red and water from here is dispersed to the enthusiasts who come here in vast numbers.

It is still not demonstrated with reference to why the River turns red amid this time. One segment of the general population trusts that the ministers of the temple empty vermillion into the waters to make it turn red; however there is no evidence of this too. Independent of the reason, the Goddess here symbolizes the force of a lady to conceive an offspring and focuses on that monthly cycle is a critical piece of lady's richness process.

Do's and Don'ts

Cameras are allowed to carry in the temple premises, but photography is not allowed inside the main temple as well as in inner sanctum. Backpacks are not allowed, but small ladies bags are allowed inside the temple. Shoes are not allowed, even in the temple premises. Better to remove them at one of the prasad shop outside the temple.

Entrance to the Temple

Different Entry Queues are as following:

General Entry

It is free of cost. But the queue starts in the early morning normally from 0500 hrs, on auspicious days from 0300 hrs.Corridor for General Queue at the temple.

For Defense /Police /Paramilitary Forces

INR 10 per person before 0830 hrs and between 1500 hrs to 1600 hrs from Monday to Saturday. In other hours, it is INR 50 per person. On Sunday, it is INR 10 per person from 0830 hrs to 1030 hrs. After that, this option is not available on Sunday. There is a separate Defense queue for these people.

Special Entry

If not a defense personnel, we can still be a part of Defence queue after buying a ticket of INR 101 per person.

Direct Entry

Available at the cost of INR 501 per person. This ticket entitles us a separate queue close to the main sanctum.

VIP Passes

Free of cost issued by the district authorities. In this case, we will be the part of direct entry queue.

Direct / VIP Entry Gate of Kamakhya Temple Entry Patterns

Despite of these Entry Tickets, there is a set pattern to accommodate devotees inside the temple. They generally starts the day with 60-80 devotees from general queue, then 50-60 devotees from defence queue, then rest of the devotees from direct queue. This pattern repeated in a cyclic manner. So, on average, a general queue requires at least 3-4 hours, defence queue requires at least 2 hours and direct queue requires at least 1 hour for the entry.After entering in the temple, all type of queues merge in a single queue at a point outside the main sanctum. This room is also the part of the ancient temple complex. From there, everybody follow a single queue to the main sanctum.

Accessibility

Airport

The Guwahati air terminal is all around associated with the different metros from Delhi, Agartala, Aizwal, Kolkata and Imphal.

Railways

Kamakhya Temple is situated on the edge of the Nilachal hill at the height of approx. 800 feet and is about 9 kms from the railway station.The Paltan Bazaar Railway Station in Guwahati is one of the real railroad intersections in the district that has trains rolling in from various urban communities like Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Road

If devotees plan to drive by street then travelers can be guaranteed that there are more than a couple transport administrations, both private and open, that go to Guwahati.  Direct Public Buses are available from many points in the Guwahati like Paltan Bazaar, Pan Bazaar, Chandmari, Dispur, Six Miles etc. These public buses drop at the base of the hill. From there, a shared jeep available to the temple (fare INR 10), that is about 3 kms away from the base.

Temple Address

Kamakhya Temple,
Nilachal Hill, Guwahati,
Assam, Pin-781010.