One of the largest Shakti temples in the nation is the Kamakhya temple, which is 7 miles from Guwahati. This temple, which is located on the Nilachal Hills, is a significant Hindu and tantric pilgrimage site. It is also regarded as significant since it is the temple where non-Aryan groups and communities of Aryans share beliefs and practices.
The previous temple was demolished by Kala Pahar and afterwards rebuilt by Chilarai, the ruling king of the Koch dynasty, in 1565. This temple honors a variety of Mother Shakti manifestations, including Sundari, Tripura, Tara, Bhuvaneshvari, Bagalamukhi, and Chinnamasta. The current building, which has three main chambers, is regarded as a sacred compound.
The middle chamber is square in design, whereas the western chamber is rectangular. There are inscriptions and pictures of Naranarayana in the middle room. Within the temple, the third room serves as the most revered shrine.
The third room is shaped like a cave and has a yoni-like gap in the rocks. The natural spring that runs through the fissure is another feature of the temple. This spring aids in maintaining moisture in the chamber.
Within the Kamakhya temple complex, there are five temples, each of which is devoted to a particular aspect of Lord Shiva. The temple complex also contains three temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is represented by Kedara, Gadadhara, and Pandunath.
This temple is linked to a number of myths and stories. One of the more well-known traditions is that Sati's reproductive organ is thought to have fallen to the ground here, which was followed by her demise. On the other side, according to a different widely held misconception, Goddess Kali is connected to this temple.
One of this temple's most important festivals is the Ambubachi Mela. Every year, the celebration is held to remember Goddess Kamakhya's regular menstrual cycle. A natural spring is reported to flow through the yoni in the middle of the month of mid-June, which is also an Ahar.
This temple hosts a number of additional pujas, such as Madandeul, Durgadeul, and the Durga Puja. Manasa Puja, Pohan Biya, and Vasanti Puja are just a few of the additional pujas that are conducted in this temple.
Festivals Celebrated here:
The most well-known event in this area is the Ambubachi Mela, which takes place annually and causes the surrounding Brahmaputra's water to turn red for three days. The water turns red because of Devi Kamakhya's period. After three days, a sizable throng of worshippers swarm the temple to receive darshan.
Those who visit the temple receive odd prasad. At the Kamakhya Devi temple, moist red cloth is served as prasad in contrast to other Shakti Peethas. When the mata is menstruation for three days, it is rumored that a white cloth will be spread throughout the temple. After three days, when the temple doors are opened, the fabric is stained red from the mata's raj. The name of this fabric is Ambubachi cloth. This is distributed as prasad to the worshippers.
