Kamakhya Temple is located on Nilachal Hill, near Gauhati, Assam. Kamakhya Temple is one of the seven major Shakti peethas mentioned in the Kalika Purana.
The Tantric goddesses are honoured at the Kamakhya temple. Other Kali avatars found in the temple include Dhumavati, Matangi, Bagola, Tara, Kamala, Bhairavi, Chinnamasta, Bhuvaneshwari, and Tripuara Sundari, in addition to the deity Kamakhya Devi.
The main temple features seven Sikharas in the shape of a beehive, each crowned with a golden Trishula. The temple is divided into three main chambers. The western chamber is large and rectangular, with an idol of Naga Matha, and is not used for worship by general pilgrims. South of this room is a Chamundeswari idol.
The central chamber is a square with a small Goddess idol. All Kamakhya and Umananda decoration and ritual pujas are performed here. Take, for example, the garbha griha of a cave temple with no image but a small natural underground spring. Spring emerges from a crack in a large rock that represents Yoni. Although the temple is aligned with the east, as are most Hindu temples, Yoni is worshipped looking north.
There are also Ganesha and Vishwa karma idols on the premises of this temple.
All Dasa Maha Vidya temples (Kali, Tara, Bhuvaneshwari, Tripura Sundari, Bhairavi, Chinnamastha, Dhumavathi, Bagalamukhi, Mathangi, Kamala). Tripurasundari, Matangi, and Kamala live in the main temple, while the other seven live in separate temples.) are present in the Nilachal. There are also temples dedicated to Kala Bhairava and Ghanta karna.
The temple is home to monkeys, turtles, and a large number of pigeons, implying that Kamakhya is the mother of all.
Sthala Purana of Kamakhya Devi Temple:
Lord Brahma created the entire universe. After the creation, he became arrogant and thought of himself as the supreme creative force. This was noticed by Jaganmata Mahakali. She decided to teach Lord Brahma a lesson and summoned the demon Kesi. From the moment he was born, the demon sought to devour Brahma. Brahma was terrified. He went to Lord Maha Vishnu and begged him to deliver him from the demon. The demon established a city called Kesipure and began to terrorise the world.
Lord Brahma was instructed by Sri Vishnu to worship Mahakali. Brahma realised his error and began to worship Mahakali. By Hum kara, the Goddess satisfies and burns the demon to ash. She advised Brahma to build a hill of Kesi ashes with edible grass for cattle, and sin would be reduced in proportion to the grasses grazed by cattle. She fashioned Yoni’s circle out of her own creative energy and instructed Brahma to worship. However, because of his sin, Brahma was unable to see it. He performed a large Tapasya, and a luminous light descended from the sky and was placed in Yoni’s circle created by the Goddess. Later on, all the gods worship Jaganmata (Kamakhya Mahakali).
The Origin of the Name Kamakhya
Kamadeva, the god of love, had lost his manhood due to a curse. He found Shakti’s uterus and was free of the curse. It was here that “love” triumphed, and as a result, the deity “Kamakhya” was installed and worshipped.
Some believe that the Kamakhya Devi temple is where Shiva and devi Sati had their romantic encounters. Because the Sanskrit word for making love is “kama,” the location was named Kamakhya.
The following are the main festivals celebrated at Kamakhya Devi Temple
- 1) Ambuvachi (Ambubasi/Ameti): The Goddess has her menstrual period for three days beginning on Sapthami in the month of Ashadha (ie June 23-25). The water from the natural source turns red and is referred to as menstrual fluid. During these three days, the Yoni Shila will be covered with a cloth, and the temple will be closed. During this time, it is thought to be unfavourable for the soil or planting seeds. The temple doors are opened on the fourth day, and a large festival is held. Sindhur and parts of the cloth are considered goddess blessings and are used in Tantrik pujas.
- 2) Navaratri: Navaratri is a well-known festival that takes place in the month of Ashviyja.
- 3) Deva Dhvani (Debaddhani): The Deva Dhvani or Debaddhani festival is held for Manasa Devi during the months of Jyeshtha, Ashadha, Sravana, and Bhadrapada, as well as during plague and illness. The name of this festival is derived from the extraordinary sound produced by instruments such as the Drum, Dhole, and so on.
Food Timings at Kamakhya Devi Temple
After 2:30 PM, visitors can receive Prasad from the Kamakhya temple premises, which are provided without the exchange of money.
Prasad can also be purchased from the local shops located near the shrine. Sugar and powdered milk are the main ingredients in peda and burfi.
Address of Kamakhya Temple
Maa Kamakhya Devalaya, Kamakhya, Guwahati, Assam – Pin-781010.
0361-2734654, 2734655 e-mail: info@maakamakhyadevalaya.org, maakamakhyadevalaya@gmail.com
