Kamakhya Temple: Divine Sojourn

The Kamakhya Temple in Assam is one of the most venerated Shakti shrines in India, and is regarded as one of the 51 holy Shakti Peethams associated with an aspect of the Hindu Goddess 'Sati' and the legend of Shiva and Daksha Yagna. Legend has it that following the destruction of King Daksha's sacrifice and the Rudra Tandava of Shiva parts of Sati's body fell at several places throughout India, and these places are revered as shakti peethas. The reproductive organ of Sati - the Yoni is said to have fallen here.

Kamakhya, the Goddess/yoni, is known to be the yielder of all desires and exists in the main shrine as a large cleft in the bedrock, covered by water flowing upward from an underground natural spring, emanating from a fissure in a large rock that symbolizes a yoni, generally covered by a red silk cloth, flowers, and red sindur powder.

The Kamakhya temple located on a hill - Neelachala Parvat in the city of Guwahati in Assam is said to have been destroyed many times since medieval times and the exisisting structure was constructed by King Naranarayan of the Koch dynasty from Cooch Behar in the style of medieval temples.

The earlier forms of the structure are unknown. The temple has a beehive like shikhara. Some of the sculptured panels seen here are of interest with images of dancing fixtures and Hindu gods and goddesses on the outside.

Worshiping here still includes sacrifices and devotees come every morning with goats to offer to Shakti. Devotees queue up at the entrance porch from where everyone moves slowly into the semi-dark sanctum sanctorum. Images of gods and goddesses of Hindu pantheon are carved on the walls. The image of the Goddess along with other deities is kept on a throne.

Devotees have to follow a narrow alley behind the throne to enter the sanctum sanctorum. Inside, a short flight of stairs leads to a small subterranean pool. Devotees stand by the water’s edge and offer their puja or worship. From here the symbolic organ that remains covered with a red cloth can be seen.

Every year, on the seventh day of hindu month of Ashaad, which generally is in June-July, it is said that the pool containing the uterus turns red for three days and the pool is covered with a white cloth which turns red after the three days. The red cloth is later cut into small pieces and distributed to devotees, which is considered to be sacred.

During this time the Ambubachi fair is held and every year lakhs of devotees visit the shrine during this time. The temple remains closed for these three days and on the fourth day its doors are again re-opened to pilgrims with much fanfare. After the fourth day when they break their fast, the holy men as well as devotees mingle freely and celebrate by smearing colours on each other. They mostly dress up in red which is considered sacred.

The accumulation of Saints and devotees (sadhus and pandas) from all over the country and the locally available art and craft items for sale on the roadside makes it an interesting place to visit and witness the festivities involved. The pandits chanting mantras on behalf of the devotees and the pilgrims performing puja, make the fair an interesting affair.

The divine powers of the goddess captivates numerous devotees form the entire country as well as the world.

In 2011, the beginning date of Ambubachi Mela is June 22nd and the festival ends on June 26.

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