About The Kamakhya Temple in Assam :
The Kamakhya Temple in Assam is one of the most venerated Shakti shrines in India, and is regarded as one of the Shakti Peethams associated with the legend of Shiva and Daksha Yagna.
Kamakhya is located on a hill – Neelachala Parvat or Kamagiri near the city of Guwahati in Assam. Shakti, residing on the Kamagiri hill is known as Kamakhya, the granter of desires. Assam traditionally has been known as the Kamarupa Desa and has been associated with Tantric practices and Shakti worship.
This temple was destroyed in early 16th century, and then rebuilt in the 17th century by King Nara Narayana, of Cooch Bihar. Images of the builder and related inscriptions are seen in the temple. The Kalika Purana, an ancient work in Sanskrit describes Kamakhya as the yielder of all desires, the young bride of Shiva, and the giver of salvation.
Kamakhya Temple Structure :
Kamakhya Temple was destroyed in early 16th century and the present temple structure was rebuilt in 1565 by Chilarai, the younger brother of King Nara Narayana, of Koch dynasty. The structure has a beehive like Shikhara with magnificent sculptured panels and images of Lord Ganesha and several other Hindu gods and goddesses. There are three major chambers in the temple. The western chamber, not used by the general pilgrims for worship, is rectangular in shape and is a big one. The middle chamber is a square whose walls were sculptured with images of Naranarayana and several related inscriptions. There is also a small idol of the Goddess.
The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is inside the middle chamber. Build in the form of a cave there is no idol of the Goddess inside the sanctum. Kamakhya Devi is worshipped in the form of yoni (genital organ) – shaped cleft in the bedrock. She is covered naturally by a stream of water flowing upward from an underground spring. The crevice is decorated with sari, flowers and vermilion powder (Sindoor).
History of Kamakhya Temple in Assam :
Legend has it that King Daksha once organized a sacrificial rite. He invited all the deities except Lord Shiva, as his intention was to insult the Lord. Sati, being the daughter of Daksha, attended the function uninvited. During the ritual, Daksha started speaking ill of Shiva. Unable to bear the insult, Sati immolated herself by jumping into the yagna fire. The furious Lord Shiva descended on Daksha and destroyed the sacrifice. With the dead body of the Goddess on his shoulders, he started the dance of destruction called Rudra Tandava. Lord Vishnu attempted to calm down Shiva and sent his chakra to cut Sati’s dead body. The reproductive organ of Sati, the yoni, fell at the spot which is now the Kamakhya Temple. When the yoni fell on the hill, the hill turned blue and came to be known as Nilachal (Blue Mountain). It is said that the parts of Sati (Parvati) fell at different parts of the country and all the places were considered as the Shakti peeths, or the centers of power.
The Beliefs:
This temple is pervaded with scores of prejudices, horrors, thrills and mysteries. Legend says man becomes sheepish at the Devi Kamakhya hill. Devis anger might deprive one of one’s lines of descent. Again, the blessing of Devi may help a barren woman to bear child.
The temple remains open from 8.00 am to sunset, except for 2 hours at noon. In the front premises of the temple, there is a pool namely, “Sauvagya Kunda” and other temples of “Dasamahavidya”, “Siddhesvara” and “Kameswar” are located around the main temple of Devi Kamakhya.
The Festivals at Kamrupa Kamakhya :
Ambubasi / Ambubachi (Ameti)
A unique festival observed here is the Ambubasi (Ameti) fertility festival. It is believed that, the Goddess (mother Earth) undergoes her menstrual period during this period. At that time the temple is closed for three days and opened with great festivity on the fourth day. It is believed to be inauspicious to till the ground or to plant seeds, during this period.
Durga Puja
Durga Puja is celebrated annually during Navaratri (Durga Puja in West Bengal) in the month of September- October. It is a three day festival attracting several visitors.
How To Reach :
Airport : The temple is located at Guwahati. Guwahati has it own airport. Hence, reaching Kamakhya Temple by air is not a problem.
Railhead : Guwahati has it own railway station. It is well-connected to all the parts of the country.
Road Transport : Guwahati has well-defined roads connecting it to all the parts of the state and the copuntry.
Location: Nilachal Hills in Western Guwahati, Assam
Dedicated To: Different forms of Mother Goddess
Built By: Chilarai, of the Koch Dynasty
Built In: 1565
Best time to Visit: Best to check with Kamrup District office, Assam