India is the land of precious and mysterious historical places, temples are counted among the richest archaeological wealth here. Although, there is no lack of beautiful, magnificent temples in India but the Kamakhya Temple is one of the most popular temples also known as Kamrup, situated in Guwahati, Assam. This famous pilgrimage is known for the bleeding goddess. The exact location of the temple is on the Nilachal hill which is approximately 8 Kms from the railway station. The temple is dedicated to the Tantric Devi (a form of Goddess Shakti). Apart from the main statue of the bleeding Goddess, 10 other forms of Goddess kali are there in the compound i.e. Bagola, Bhairavi, Bhuvaneshwari, Dhumavati, Matangi, Tara, Kamala, Chinnamasta and Tripura Sundari.
1. History of Kamakhya Temple
The origin of the temple is full of interesting stories. According to the mythological stories affiliated with Kamakhya Devi Temple, once Sati’s father invited him to a grand yagna program. Sati (another name of Goddess shakti) wanted to go to that yagna program but her husband Lord Shiva denied her to go there. Then, Sati fought with her husband to attend her father’s great yagna. When sati visited there, her father insulted her husband because of which Sati became so angry and she jumped into the holy fire of the Yagna and killed herself.
Shiva was very insane with rage when he came to know that his beloved wife has killed herself. He carried the dead body of Sati on his shoulders and ran here and there in a madness of losing his love. He did tandava dance which is known as the dance of destruction. When Lord Vishnu saw Lord Shiva this much disturbed, he cut down the body of Sati with his chakra into 108 parts and those body parts get scattered in different areas of the earth. The Kamakhya Temple is supposed to be the place where Sati’s womb and vagina (yoni in hindi) part fell down. And that’s why, the temple set up there is taken as a symbol of fertility and strength of the woman.
According to another Kamakhya Temple legend, Sati and Lord Shiva had romantic encounters in the place where Kamakhya Temple is situated. So, this place is worshiped as the symbol of love and romance. People also say that once Kamadeva, the Lord of Lust and romance was cursed by Lord Shiva that he will not be able to enjoy his romantic powers anymore. When Kamdev sought out Sati’s Vaginal part at the location of Kamakhya Temple, his powers came back and he was free from the curse. That’s why the Goddess is named as Kamakhya. These stories are on the basis of the history of this wonderful temple.
2. Architecture of Kamakhya Temple
The current structure of Kamakhya Temple has been built by Ahom kings with remains of the Koch Temple. As those remnants were preserved very carefully, they had been used for the construction of this new temple in a beautiful way. The destruction of the temple took place in mid of 2nd millennium and reconstruction of the same took place in 1565 by Chilarai, Koch dynasty. Like all the other medieval temples, the temple was designed in the same style having Shikhar like a beehive. This is the feature of lower Assam; the panels of the temple have been designed with delightful images of Lord Ganesh and other Hindu Gods.
There are three main chambers in the temple with sculptures of Lord Narnarayana in the walls of all the chambers. The western chamber is not opened for common pilgrims. The middle chamber has a small statue of the Goddess. The middle chamber leads the way to a cave-like Sanctorum that bears a vagina-shaped cleft made up of stone. An underground spring flows through this cleft.
The Kamakhya Devi Temple architecture is famous for the design of its garbhgraha which bears a pancharatha plan that resembles the Tezpur’s Surya Temple. The architectural style of this part of the temple has been adopted from the central Indian Temples. This consists of sunken panels designed alternatively with pillars. From inside, the garbhagraha is dark and small that can be reached through narrow steep steps of stone. The vulva shaped depression of stones there is worshiped as the Goddess Kamakhya and reputed as one of the most important 51 shaktipeeths. There are other temples also in the complex having the same idol of the Goddess in the garbhagraha; a vulva shaped stone filled with underground water spring.
3. What is Inside the Kamakhya Temple?
The sacred temple has well-organized system inside the structure everywhere. There are separate sites to offer Prasad, lighting Diyas and breaking coconuts inside Kamakhya Temple. Shops to buy offerings are available near the temple. The main structure inside the temple is the Garbhagraha, which is nothing but a yoni shaped stone supposed to be holy and sacred. There is no image or statue of the Goddess there. It is hard to see anything inside the temple because only 2 or 3 lamps are lighted there. Special poojas and prayers are performed by pandas in the temple.
4. Kamakhya Temple Menstruating Goddess
The Kamakhya Temple is seen as the sign of a woman’s strength and natural physiology. The Goddess is called as the bleeding Devi or menstruating Goddess because, in the month of Ashadha (June), the devi starts menstruating automatically. The proof of this menstruation is that the water of the underground spring below the vulva-shaped stone in the garbhagraha turns red. This menstruation process lasts for three days and priests of the temple don’t allow anyone to enter the temple. It means the Goddess is not allowed to be worshiped during those three days. The pilgrims are just allowed to dip their handkerchiefs in the ‘red’ water of the spring that comes out from the garbhagraha through a narrow stream. Worshippers keep those ‘red’ handkerchiefs secured with them as Devi’s offerings for good luck.
There is no scientific proof that the red color of the spring’s water is because of blood. Many people believe that the red color of the water is due to the vermillion which is mixed by the priests. So, there is no evidence of the menstruation of the Goddess but this process is seen with great respect by worshippers of the Goddess. Ultimately, it is the sign of ‘Shakti’ (strength) of every woman of the world.
On this occasion, a grand festival is celebrated in the temple named as Ambhuwasi. During the three days of Goddess’ menstruation, the doors of the temple remain closed and on the fourth day, a big celebration is done when the door is opened.
5. What is Kamakhya Devi Sindoor?
Kamakhya Temple sindoor is supposed to have a blessing of Maa Kamakhya. This vermillion is called Kamiya sindoor which helps in black magic and Vashi Karan pooja. The process can be applied on your enemy or opponent. According to the story sindoor is used for preparing spiritual items which protect you from your enemy as well as resolve the black magic problems.
The Kamiya sindoor possesses special properties of avoiding witchcraft problems and bhoot prêt badha. It is found in crystallized form and can be received by the priests of the temple.
6. How can the Kamiya Sindoor help you?
Using the Kamiya Sindoor is very easy, you need nothing but to mix the sindoor with Ggangajal or water of any other holy river. Now, make religious symbols such as om, the swastika in the front door of your house with this sindoor. Also, use the same for your office, factory and business site. Apply this sindoor in forehead of your family members, relatives, and friends for their goodness. Mix the sindoor in pure water and sprinkle this water all over the home.
7. What is Kamakhya Devi Vashikaran Tantra?
Kamakhya Devi is also known well for vashikaran tantra; means a ritual practice to attract someone towards you as per your desire. This practice is done especially when you want to convince someone for being agreed with your thoughts and you know that you want him to agree for the right thing. By using the vashikaran method, you can easily convince a person to agree with your thoughts and help your loved one to come out of the hazard. The kamakhya vashikaran tantra specialists in the temple help devotees to understand the vashikaran tantra and way to use it.
8. How Can the Vashikaran Tantra Help You?
The magical vashikaran tantra helps people to overcome many problems of their life as follows –
- It prevents divorce and makes your relationship healthy.
- It attracts lots of wealth and financial benefit for your life.
- You can get your love back with this vashikaran tantra.
- You can have all materialistic gains through this tantra.
- Your business and career will reach hikes by using it.
- The way of using the tantra and is explained by the tantra pooja specialists of the temple. By following that proper way, you can achieve your target.
- And these are just a few benefits that are observable as blessings of Devi will vary as per the needs of her devotee.
9. Introducing Kamakhya Devi Temple Black Magic Removal Pooja
The temple is famous for a special pooja which is done for removal of black magic. Performed by Sadhus and Aghoris who stay in the temple, this special pooja involves some rituals that cure people who suffer from black magic problems. The sadhus performing the black magic removal worship can be found anywhere inside the temple premise. From the ancient time only, this temple has been dedicated for special Kamakhya black magic removal (Kamrup) pooja and known as the place of tantrikism. It is said that this temple is the only place where all 10 mahavidyas stay together.
10. How is the Kamakhya Devi Pooja and Sadhna Carried Out?
Pooja of Kamakhya Devi lasts for nine days in navratri and all the important rituals are performed behind the doors. During the Kamakhya Devi pooja, various types of sacrifices are performed such as goats, pigeons, fish, Gourd, pumpkins, buffaloes. A human model made up of flour is also sacrificed to fulfill the ancient times tradition of this pooja.
Another important ritual of the temple is pohan biya. This is nothing but a symbolic marriage of lord kameshwar and kameshwari. This practice is done in the month of Pusa. Four noteworthy poojas of the temple are Durgadeul, vasanti, Mdandeul and Mansa pooja are also there. The first three poojas take place during the month of phalguna and chaitra while the last pooja takes place in Shravan.
11. How to Reach Kamakhya Devi Temple?
You can visit Kamakhya Temple official website to know more about the timetable of pooja and sadhana. The temple is located 6 km from the Guwahati railway station. After reaching the station from the train, you can hire a taxi to reach the temple. while the temple is located 20 km away from the Guwahati airport; you can book a can in advance to visit the temple after reaching the airport.
12. What is the Best Time to Visit Kamakhya Temple?
The best time to visit the Kamakhya temple is June when you can enjoy the famous Ambuwasi festival and get the Kamiya sindoor. Getting the Kamakhya temple VIP pass and kamakhya devi darshan tickets is possible online or from the counters in the temple.
13. What is the Time Table of The Kamakhya Temple?
According to the Kamakhya Devi Temple timming, the doors of the temples are opened at 8 AM daily for devotees (except the three days of menstruation during the month of June). The doors are closed at 1 PM for cooked offering to the Goddess which is distributed among devotees later. At 2.30 PM, temple’s doors are opened again for devotees. At 5.30, the aarti of the Goddess takes place after which the doors are closed for the night.
14. What is the Best Day to Visit Kamakhya Temple?
Although, you can visit the temple any weekday whole year but to enjoy the most auspicious celebration; the ambuwashi pooja, you should plan your trip to the Kamakhya Temple during the menstruation period of the Goddess. This occasion takes place in the month of June and lasts for 4 days. After 3 days of the menstruating time of the Goddess, the fourth day is celebrated in the form of a big fair.
15. Additional Facts About the Kamakhya Temple
Being the perfect destination for those who want to enjoy great time exploring the historical and spiritual wealth of the country, the Kamakhya Temple facts attract thousands of tourists every year. An outstanding combination of rejuvenated designs, attractive sculptures, and treasure of adventures make this temple different from others; that’s why even the foreign tourists love to add this place to their list of Indian destinations to visit.
16. Kamakhya Temple Covid Rules
Kamakhya Temple is one most visited temples of India. So, that’s why devotee’s safety majors are vital. As per the latest guidelines issued by the Assam government for this religious site Kamakhya Temple, only one can visit the temple who is fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
