All About Kamakhya Temple — The Sacred Shakti Peeth Steeped In Mythology And Spirituality

Located atop the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam, Kamakhya Temple is one of the most revered Shakti shrines in India.

Kamakhya Temple

Source : PTI

The Kamakhya Temple is among the most sacred Shakti temples in India, located at the top of the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam. The oldest among the 51 Shakti peeths, the temple is believed to be blessed spiritually and attracts sadhus and pilgrims all year round.

This divine temple doesn't contain an idol of a goddess; rather, it contains a yoni-shaped stone that symbolises divine feminine power. It is worshipped in a naturally formed cavity. The temple is also one of a larger complex called the Dasamahavidya, containing shrines to goddesses such as Kali, Tara, Chinnamasta, and Bhairavi. There are five noted Shiva temples surrounding Kamakhya as well, contributing to the holy landscape.

The Legend Behind Kamakhya Temple

According to Hindu mythology, the Kamakhya temple lies in the tale of Goddess Sati (the spouse of Lord Shiva). Goddess Sati was the daughter of King Daksha and chose to wed Lord Shiva despite her father's disapproval.

One day King Daksha organised a grand Yajna and invited all the gods and goddesses except Lord Shiva, as he was displeased with Lord Shiva. When Sati went to her father asking about all these things, Daksha insulted Lord Shiva; unable to bear the humiliation, Sati burnt herself in the sacrificial fire.

Shiva, filled with rage and sorrow, carried the corpse of Sati and started performing Tandav. To save the universe, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to sever Sati’s body into 51 parts, which fell across the Indian subcontinent, forming the Shakti Peeths. The spot where her yoni fell became Kamakhya, making it one of the holiest and most potent Shakti sites.

Kamakhya Temple is not only a site of worship but also an embodiment of feminine divinity, renewal, and holy mythology that continues to evoke awe and devotion.

Ambubachi Mela — The Sacred Festival:

One of the biggest attractions of the temple is the Ambubachi Mela, the four-day-long festival that marks the goddess's periodic menstruation. The temple is closed during this period and opens up after rituals, with special prasad of Angodak and Rakta Bastra being given to the devotees. Thousands of devotees, mystics, and tantric practitioners visit the festival, believing in the high spiritual energy of the temple.