Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati in Assam: Kamakhya Shakti Peetha

Kamakhya Temple Guwahati Assam

Kamakhaya Temple is located in the Nilachal Hill, town of Tilla, in western part of the district of Guwahati, in the state of Assam, in India. In Bengali language, the goddess is known as Maa Tara.

It is one of the Astadasha Shakti peethas situated in the North-eastern region of India. The primary deity of this temple is Kamakhya. The important festivals that are grandly celebrated in this temple are durga pooja and maha shivratri. The number of temples and monuments within the temple complex are six. They are Dasa Mahavidya, including Bagalamukhi, Bhuvaneshvari, Chinnamasta, Tara and Tripura Sundari.

According to the local legends and Hindu religious scholars, for Tantric and Hindu devotees, it is an important pilgrimage destination for worship. The current structure of the temple was built in first millennium by Kamarupa and later rebuilt in 1564-63 by Chilarai of the Koch dynasty. It is a medieval styled temple having a resemblance of beehive-like shikhara with images of other Hindu gods and Ganesha on the outside structures.

The menstruation period of the Goddess Kamakhya is celebrated each summer as Ambubachi Mela or Ambubachi festival in this temple. It is to be noted that during this particular time, the holy water in the main shrine flows red in color with iron oxide which largely resembles as menstrual fluid.

This temple is regarded as an ancient Khasi sacrificial site. Even in the present age, devotees arrive every morning with goats in order to offer it to Shakti. The goddess is regarded as the yielder of all desires and the giver of salvation.

Important Pujas / Festivals held in Kamakhya Shakti Peetha Temple..

Durga Puja : The worship of Goddess Durga is held for sixteen days at a stretch during the month of Asvina.

Pohan Bia : A symbolic marriage between Lord Kamesvara and Kamesvari during the month of Pausa.

Durgadeul : During the month of Phalguna, Durgadeul is observed in the kamakhya temple.

Vasanti Puja : This puja is held at the Kamakhya temple durinh the month of Chaitra.

Madandeul : This deul is observed during the month of Chaitra when Lord Kamadeva or Kamesvara is offered special pujas.

Ambuvachi : Being a mother figure, Devi Kamakhya also undergoes menstruation period on an yearly basis during the early part of the month Ahar, which is observed as Ambuvaci.

Manasa Puja : Manasa puja is observed from the Sankranti of Sravana and continues upto the second day of Bhadra.

Address – Kamakhaya Temple, Nilachal Hill, Tilla town, in western part of the district of Guwahati, Assam, India.