Kamakhya
Kamakhya Temple is one amongst the holiest shrines throughout India. Perched on Nilanchal Hill in Kamrup district of Assam, Kamakhya Mandir is easily accessible at a stretch of 8 kms from Guwahati. The temple commemorates Hindu Goddess Sati in her aspect of Kamakhya Devi. Goddess Kamakhya is also known as Sodashi in the local region.Kamakhya Temple is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. As per the legends, during the time of self-sacrifice, the genital organ (yoni) of Sati fell at this spot. Kamakhya Mandir is a natural cave with a spring. In order to reach the temple, one has to take a flight of steps that goes down into a dark and strange shrine. There is no concrete form of goddess inside the temple.
In the shrine, Kamakhya Devi, in the form of genital organ (yoni), presides as a big crevice in the bedrock. The Goddess is covered naturally by a rivulet of water gushing upward from an underground spring. The crevice is usually covered with sari, flowers and vermilion powder (Sindoor). The temple had been an ancient sacrificial site and till date, sacrifices are offered here. Every morning, group of devotees come to sacrifice goats.
The temple is very much ancient in its origin, yet it was restructured in 1665, when it was attacked by the Muslim invaders. The effort of this reconstruction was made by King Nar Narayan of Cooch, Bihar. The spire of this temple is shaped like a beehive. Besides Kamakhya Devi, there are images of Ganesha, Chamundeswari and various dancing sculptures. In the temple, an image of the King and related inscriptions are visible.
Essentially, the Goddess 'Kamakhya' is believed to be the granter of desires. In traditional terms, Assam is known as 'Kamarupa Desa', a place that is associated with Tantric practices and worship of Shakti. In Kalika Purana (an ancient scripture), Kamakhya is referred as the goddess who fulfills all desires, the bride of Lord Shiva and the benefactor of salvation.
During the occasion of Navratri (Sep-Oct), a three day festival attracts thousands of pilgrims. This festival is known as Ambuvaci (Ameti), which is unique with its own significance. For the duration of this fertility festival, the Goddess is said to undergo her menstrual period. At this point of time, the temple is closed for three days and before closing, white sheets are draped inside the temple.
When the temple is opened after three days, the sheets are found red in color. On the fourth day, great festivity is observed. Devotees from far and near, come to visit this temple at this juncture of the festival. The red sheets are torn into pieces and distributed amongst the devotees. Kamakhya Temple is a prominent pilgrimage site that attracts thousands of visitors throughout the year.
Sthala purana of Kamakhya Devi
Gauhati is previously called as Kama rupa, Hari kshetra, Pragjyotisha pura etc.. This is the capital of a demon named, Narakasura.Lord Vishnu killed a demon named Hiranyaksha, in the form of Swetha varaha and saved earth. But, it is Tamasika avathara and he couldn’t realise his own state. He married Bhu devi(The Goddess of Earth) and spent life on earth.
One shouldn’t get sexual feelings in the time of Sunset. But, they didn’t followed that rule, which resulted in a son, who is a demon by character. Bhu devi prayed Lord Vishnu to give boons to her son. Vishnu kept a name, Naraka, and made him as a king to the Pragjyotisha pura. He told to Bhu devi that Naraka becomes very bad and he will be killed to save the world.
Bhu devi prayed Vishnu a lot and got a promise from him that Naraka should become immortal unless killed by her. Vishnu left the form of Varaha and went to Vaikuntha.
Goddess Kamakhya is considered as the Maya rupa of Bhu devi.
Naraka worshiped Goddess Kamakhya and he got a lot of energy. He ruled the world for many Yugas. He captured sixteen thousand princes and enjoying with them against their will. He made friend ship with Banasura. Banasura deviated him from the worship of the Goddess Kamakhya. He told that Kamakhya is also an unmarried girl and Naraka can marry her.
One day night, Naraka observed Goddess Kamakhya dancing in her temple. He approached her and asked to marry him. She laughed at him and told that it will happen if Naraka constructs temple, tank, and stair case from the foot of Nilachal hill to her place, by the end of that night. Naraka got mystic powers by worshiping her. He started fast and almost completed the task. Lord Vishnu appeared in the form a cock(fowl) and crew, which is considered as the starting of the day. Naraka became frustrated, chased and killed that fowl. In the mean while the day really came. Naraka failed to reach the goal and got angry on Goddess Kamakhya. Kamakhya disappeared from that place.
The incomplete stair case is called as Mekhelauja path. The place where Naraka killed the fowl is called as Kukurakata chaki. It is situated in the district of Darrang.
Naraka stealed the Ear rings of Deva matha Adithi(Mother of Lord Indra). This became a very big insult for all gods. At that time Lord Vishnu and Bhu devi incarnated as Sri Krishna and Satya bhama. Indra prayed Sri Krishna to kill Narakasura.
Sri Krishna went with Satya bhama to kill Narakasura. Goddess Kamakhya came with them. Satya bhama didn’t remember Narakasura as her son. Narakasura spoke to her in a very bad way. She became angry and killed Narakasura by an Astra given by Lord Sri Krishna. All the sixteen thousand princes expressed their desire to marry Sri Krishna. He married all of them. Bhaga datta, the son of Naraka was made as the king of Pragjyotisha pura, by Lord Sri Krishna.
How to Reach
Nearest Bus stands: Nilachal, Gauhati.Nearest Railway stations: Nilachal, Gauhati.
Nearest Air port: Gauhati.
