Location: Nilachal Hills, Guwahati, Assam, India
Deity: Goddess Kamakhya (Form of Mahavidya Tripura Sundari)
Temple Type: Shakti Peetha
Significance: The Yoni Peetha (Seat of Divine Feminine Power)
Introduction
The Kamakhya Temple, situated atop the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati, Assam, is one of the most revered Shakti Peethas in India. Dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, a manifestation of Goddess Parvati (Tripura Sundari), it represents the divine creative energy (Shakti) and is deeply associated with the feminine principle of power and fertility.
Unlike other temples where idols are worshipped, Kamakhya Temple houses a natural rock formation shaped like a yoni (female generative organ) that is continuously bathed by an underground spring — symbolizing the source of life and creation.
Legend and Mythological Origin
According to the Devi Purana and Kalika Purana, the Kamakhya Temple marks the spot where the yoni (womb) of Goddess Sati fell after Lord Vishnu dismembered her body to pacify Lord Shiva’s grief.
Hence, it is considered the Yoni Peetha, one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas spread across India.
The name “Kamakhya” derives from the Sanskrit words ‘Kama’ (desire) and ‘Aksha’ (fulfilled), meaning “She who fulfills all desires.”
It is believed that Kamadeva (the god of love) regained his potency here after being burned by Lord Shiva’s third eye.
Architectural Marvel
The present temple, rebuilt in the 17th century by King Nara Narayan of the Koch dynasty, showcases a blend of Nagara and local Assamese architecture.
- The temple has a beehive-shaped shikhara (spire) made of brick and sculpted panels.
- The sanctum (Garbhagriha) houses the yoni-shaped stone, covered with a red silk cloth and constantly moist with spring water.
- The complex includes ten other temples dedicated to the ten Mahavidyas (forms of the Divine Mother) — such as Kali, Tara, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Bagalamukhi, and Kamala Devi — making it a powerful Tantric center.
Spiritual Significance
Kamakhya Temple is a center of Tantra Sadhana, where Shakti and Shiva are worshipped as the union of consciousness and energy.
- The temple represents female power, fertility, and transformation.
- Tantrics and yogis from across India come here for spiritual awakening and siddhis (mystic powers).
- It is believed that worshipping Kamakhya grants fulfillment of desires, marital harmony, fertility, and liberation from illusions.
Ambubachi Mela – The Sacred Festival
The Ambubachi Mela, held annually in June (Ashaadha month), is the most important festival at Kamakhya Temple.
It marks the menstrual period of Goddess Kamakhya, symbolizing the earth’s fertility and renewal of nature.
During this time:
- The temple remains closed for three days, representing the goddess’s menstrual seclusion.
- On the fourth day, the temple reopens with great celebration and distribution of Angadhak (sacred cloth) and Angaprasad (holy soil) believed to have divine energy.
- Thousands of sadhus, tantrics, and pilgrims from around the world gather to celebrate the creative and regenerative power of the goddess.
Rituals and Worship
- Daily puja begins with bathing the yoni stone and offering flowers, vermilion, and red cloth.
- Offerings include coconut, sweets, and sometimes animal sacrifice, though symbolic substitutes are increasingly common.
- Devotees chant “Kamakhya Devi Namah” and “Om Hreem Shreem Kamakhyayai Namah” to seek blessings.
Special rituals:
- Durga Puja and Navaratri
- Manasa Puja (for protection from snake bites)
- Kumarika Puja (worship of virgin girls as living goddesses)
Philosophical Meaning
The Kamakhya Yoni represents the source of cosmic creation, reminding devotees that Shakti (feminine energy) is the foundation of all existence.
It symbolizes that divine power flows from the union of Shiva and Shakti, and recognizing this balance leads to spiritual liberation.
Nearby Temples and Sites
- Bagala Mukhi Temple
- Tara Temple
- Bhairavi Temple
- Kameshwara Temple
- Umananda Temple (on Peacock Island)
These form the Nilachal Hill Complex, making it one of India’s most sacred Shakti pilgrimage circuits.
How to Reach
- Nearest Airport: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati (8 km)
- Nearest Railway Station: Guwahati Junction (7 km)
- Local Transport: Buses, taxis, and ropeway from the city to Nilachal Hills
Conclusion
The Kamakhya Temple is not merely a shrine but a living symbol of divine feminine energy — where creation, destruction, and regeneration merge into one sacred flow.
It celebrates womanhood, fertility, and spiritual awakening, drawing seekers from all paths — Tantra, Bhakti, and Yoga.
To visit Kamakhya is to witness the pulse of Shakti herself — the timeless power that creates and sustains the cosmos.
Panchang Official