Kamakhya

Situated in the lap of Nilachal hills in western part of Guwahati, the well known city of Assam, kamakhya temple is situated amidst the temples of goddesses like Dasa Mahavidya, including Bhuvaneshvari, Bagalamukhi, Chinnamasta, Tripura Sundari and Tara. It has attracted many devotees as well as tantric in the past, present and future.  The hymn of Sanskrit has been very powerful in the surrounding.

Constructed by Koch dynasty, by Chilarai in 1565, it has got its looks of the medieval period. The beehive structure makes its beautiful shikhara more seductive too its visitors. The entry marks its presence with its charming sculptures of Hindu mythological gods and different goddesses. The temple comprises of main chambers:-

1. Western chamber: - which is large and rectangle and not used by general pilgrims and thus is a reserved place.
2. Middle chamber: - is a square shaped containing the goddess’s idol which also leads to a craved path to sanctum sanctorum of the temple in the form of a cave, which consists of a natural underground spring that flows through a yoni-shaped cleft in the bedrock. During ambuvachi festival, the menstruation days of the goddess is worshiped and no one is allowed to see or come near the idol.

The origination of this temple has yield the fact of fulfilling the wishes of the worshippers, has made this temple known as yielder of all desires. Kamakhya is the youngest bride of Lord Shiva, and Shakti is known as Kamakhya. Its glory has marked its presence in both ancient and real times. Thus it is also a place of Khasi sacrificial site from ancient times. Even today sacrifices are made to offer to Shakti.

This is the story of all the believers who have faith in Shakti and are regular worshippers. It has both Aryan and Non-Aryan elements present in its faith and worship.  The worshipping exempts female animals from sacrificed and as well as is worshipped with both patterns of Vamachara (Left-Hand Path) as well as the Dakshinachara (Right-Hand Path).

The legend of the temple goes back to the era when Sati used to secretly retire to satisfy the amour with her husband Lord Shiva. It is also the place where her yoni felt after she died and her husband carried her on shoulder while doing Tandava and Lord Vishnu started cutting her body to control the anger with his Sudarshan Chakra. But the Yogini Tantra which is later creates its own epic marking the Shaktipith as the presence Goddess Kali, but still it emphasizes on the fact of the symbolism of yoni.

Sight seeing near and around

Guwahati Zoo

Those who love animals will love this, especially the children of all age groups. Being the largest zoo of the country, it houses a huge number of animals especially all those endangered, those sweet lovey-dubby birds to ferocious reptiles. It has all in one and thus is a must visit.

Shiva Temple

It stands in between an island in between the enormous Brahmaputra river, can be reachable by local motor boats. The ghat is well known as Umananda ghat and is a symbol of appreciation and love in Umananda.

Navagraha Temple

On top of a hill there is a Navagraha temple commonly known as the temple of nine planets seated amidst a red beehive like structured dome above and around. There is a lingam placed in centre and nine planets namely: Sun (Surya, Ravi), Moon (Chandra, Soma), Mercury (Buddh), Venus (Sukra), Mars (Mangal), Jupiter (Brhaspati) and Saturn (Sani), encircles the linga. Also the two dragon’s head and tail (Rahu and Ketu respectively) are added and seated with them commonly known as the ascending and descending nodes of the moon.

Vashistha Ashram

12 km away from the railway station hub is the most interesting old shrine of sage Vashishtha with an amazing beauty of greenery and three adoring streams of Lalita, Kanta and Sandhya around. There are other temples also around the city like Ugratara temple, famous for its golden idol and buffalo sacrifices.

Bhubaneshwari Temple

It is located above the kamakhya temple and is famous spot for viewing the whole Guwahati city with a bird’s vision. It has one of the most beautiful sculpturous creativity and beauty.

How to reach the deity?

By Air: Flight service is there in Guwahati connecting it with all major cities of the country now and then.

By Rail: the nearest rail junction is in Guwahati from where taxis and buses are available for the temple Darshan.

By Road: Guwahati is connected with national highway that links the city with all major roads that leads to all the cities scattered around the country. Also accommodation is available at reasonable prices from luxury to budget accommodation.

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