The Kamakhya Temple is a sacred Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya, also known as Kameswari, the goddess of desire and fertility. Kamakhya Temple is one of the most revered centers of Tantric practices in India.
The temple is famous for the unique phenomenon of the "menstruating" or bleeding Goddess, which occurs during the Ambubachi Mela, an annual festival that celebrates the goddess's menstrual cycle.
The temple is also considered to be the oldest Shakti Peeth, one of the 51 holy places associated with Goddess Sati, the consort of Lord Shiva. It's a place of wonder and awe, where the divine and the earthly meet, and where devotees can connect with the divine feminine energy that flows through the universe.
Topics Covered
- What is the real story of Kamakhya Temple?
- Story of Narakasura and Kamakhya Devi
- What is inside the Kamakhya temple?
- Tantric Practices in the Temple
- Ambubachi Mela
- Why does the river Brahmaputra turn red?
- Who can enter the Kamakhya temple?
- Temple Timing
- Which day is good for visiting Kamakhya temple?
- What is the entry fee?
- Animal Sacrifice in Kamakhya
- How to get kamakhya sindoor?
- Other Temples in Nilachal Hill
- Location of the temple
- How to visit Kamakhya temple?
- Conclusion
What is the real story of Kamakhya Temple?
According to Kalika Puran (a Hindu scripture that describes the origin and worship of the goddess Kali), Goddess Sati immolated herself in protest of her father's (Dakshya Nripati) disrespect towards her husband, Lord Shiva. Shiva, enraged by his wife's death, carried her corpse and danced destruction, Tandava, across the universe.
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| Shiv Tandava |
The Tandav Nritya continued for several days and the universe was on the brink of being destroyed. To stop him, all the Gods and Goddesses appealed to Lord Vishnu who then cut Sati's body into pieces with Sudarshan Chakra (discus), and each piece fell to a different location on earth.
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| Lord Vishnu Holding Sudarshana Chakra on right arm. |
Sati's yoni, or genitals, fell on the Nilachal Hill and this place became the Kamakhya temple, and the goddess is worshipped there as the source of life and fertility.
Story of Narakasura and Kamakhya Devi
Narakasura got attracted to the beauty of Kamkhya Devi and proposed to marry her. Kamakhya Devi put one condition that he should construct a stone path from the foothill to the temple in one night. The demon king agreed to the proposal and started working. When Narakasura was about to complete this task Devi ordered an illusive cock to start crowing symbolizing the dawn. Suspecting conspiracy the demon god furited and killed the cock. Later with the help of Lord Vishnu the Devi killed the demon.
What is inside the Kamakhya temple?
The temple has a unique hybrid architecture, combining elements of the Nagara and the Ahom styles. The main shrine of the temple is a cave, where the yoni of the goddess is enshrined in a natural rock. The cave is covered with a hemispherical dome, supported by four pillars.
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| The Yoni |
The dome is adorned with sculptures of various deities and mythical creatures. The temple complex also houses several other temples, dedicated to the ten Mahavidyas, or the manifestations of the goddess in different forms.
Tantric Practices in the Temple
The temple is also the center of the Kulachara Tantra Marga, a branch of Tantric practices that involves the worship of the yoni as a symbol of the cosmic womb and the source of life.
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| Tantric practicing tantra |
The temple has a rich and fascinating history, dating back to the 8th century AD when it was first built by the Mleccha dynasty, who were followers of Tantra. The temple was later renovated and expanded by the Pala and the Koch kings, who patronized the temple and its cult.
Ambubachi Mela
The temple attracts thousands of devotees and seekers of Tantra, especially during the Ambubachi Mela, an annual festival that celebrates the menstruation of the goddess.
During this time, the temple is closed for three days, as it is believed that the goddess undergoes her annual period. The devotees wait outside the temple, observing fasts and rituals, until the temple reopens and they receive the prasad, or the blessed cloth that is soaked with the menstrual blood of the goddess
Why does the river Brahmaputra turn red?
The shrine is located next to the mighty Brahmaputra River. Every year during June the portion of the river near the temple turns red for three days. It is believed that the Goddess menstruates and hence the river turn red.
During this time the Ambubachi Mela is celebrated. Though there is no exact scientific reason behind this some claim that the soil in the area is rich in iron which gives the water a blood-like red color. Others claim that the hill has a large deposit of Cinnabar which gives it a red color.
Who can enter the Kamakhya temple?
The Kamakhya temple is open to all visitors, regardless of their gender, religion, or caste. However, there are some exceptions and restrictions that apply to certain times and situations.
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| Wall of main temple |
The temple remains closed for three days during the Ambubachi Mela, an annual festival that celebrates the goddess's menstrual cycle. During this time, only female priests or sanyasis are allowed to serve the temple, and men are not allowed to enter the premises
Temple Timing
5:30 AM Snana of the Pithasthana.
6:00 AM Nitya puja.
8:00 AM Temple open for devotees.
1:00 PM Temple closed for offering food to Devi, followed by food distribution to devotees.
2:30 PM Temple door reopens for the devotee
5:15 PM Closing of the temple door for the night
7:30 PM Arati of the Goddes
Which day is good for visiting Kamakhya temple?
Sunday
According to some reviews, Sunday is a good day to visit the temple, as it is less crowded and more peaceful than other days. However, this may also depend on the season and the weather.
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| Main Temple |
Tuesday
According to some sources, Tuesday is considered to be an auspicious day for worshipping the goddess, as it is associated with her energy and power. However, this may also mean that the temple is more crowded and busy than on other days.
Festival days
According to some devotees, festival days are the best days to visit the temple, as they offer a unique and memorable experience of the goddess and her culture.
However, this may also require planning and booking, as the temple may have special arrangements and restrictions during these days.
What is the entry fee?
There is no entry fee for the general queue, but donations are accepted. For the VIP darshan queue, the entry fee is Rs. 501 per person. For the defense personnel, the entry fee is Rs. 50 per person. However, these fees may change or be unavailable during festival days. Therefore, it is advisable to check the availability and validity of the tickets before planning a visit.
Please refer to the official website of the temple for more details.
Animal Sacrifice in Kamakhya
The ritual of animal sacrifice is done to please the goddess and appease her wrath, and to symbolize the triumph of good over evil and the goddess's fierce form as Durga. Animals such as buffaloes, goats, pigeons, and ducks are sacrificed to the goddess, and their blood is offered to her yoni, which is the main object of worship at the temple. The ritual is especially prevalent during the Durga Puja festival when thousands of animals are sacrificed at the temple.
How to get kamakhya sindoor?
Kamakhya sindoor is a sacred vermillion powder that is obtained from the Kamakhya temple in Assam, India. It is believed to have various benefits and uses, such as attracting love, healing black magic, and fulfilling desires.
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| Kamakhya Sindoor |
During this Ambubachi Mela, the sindoor is distributed to devotees after the temple reopens.
One can perform a puja or ritual at the temple with the help of a priest or a tantrik. The sindoor can be obtained as a prasad or blessing from the goddess after the puja.
You can buy Kamakhya Sindoor and other Kamakhya Devi items from this flipkart Link.
Other Temples in Nilachal Hill
The Kamakhya Temple is encircled by numerous other temples honoring various other goddesses, including Bhubaneswari, Kali, Tara, Chhinnamasta, Bagala, Bhairavi, Doomavati, Matangi, and Kamala who are collectively referred to as the Dasa-Mahavidya.
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| Dasa Mahavidya |
There are also five temples in the Nilachal Hills dedicated to Lord Shiva: Kameswar, Siddheswar, Amra-Tokoreswar, Aghor, and Kautilinga.
Location of the temple
The temple is located atop the Nilachal Hill, which offers a scenic view of the city and the Brahmaputra river. Some devotees may prefer to visit the temple during the sunrise or sunset, when the view is most spectacular, while others may prefer to visit during the day when the visibility is better. The temple is about 9 km from the Guwahati Railway Station.
How to visit Kamakhya temple?
The temple is located close to Guwahati, the capital of the Indian State of Assam. You can reach here by different modes of transport.
By Air
You can take a flight to Guwahati Airport (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport) from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc. From there, you can book a cab to the temple
By Road
You need to reach Guwahati. From there you can take a cab, bus, or auto to the temple.
By Train
Nearest Railway Station is Guwahati Railway Station. It connects major cities in India like Kolkata and Delhi. From the station take a cab, bus, or auto to the temple.
Conclusion
This temple complex worships different forms of Dasa Mahavidya, the 10 forms of divine feminine energy. This temple celebrates the menstruation of Maa Kamakhya during the Ambubachi when the Brahmaputra river at the foothill of the temple mysteriously turns red.
This temple has a profound impact on worshippers of Shakti and Tantra throughout the world and is truly a unique and unforgettable destination that deserves to be explored.
