This temple honors the Mother Goddess Kamakhya, the essence
of female energy, Kamakhya is one of the 51 Hindu ‘Pithas’ where as per the
mythology the genital organ of the sati (parvati) – the eternal wife of Lord
shiva – had fallen down after death in one of her incarnation. It is considered
as one of the most important centers of Shakti worship and Tantric Hinduism.
The temple was built in first millennium during the time of
Kamarupa. Allahabad rock inscriptions of Samudragupta mentioned about it.
Temple was destroyed during the middle of second millennium and revised temple
structure was constructed in 1565 by Chilarai of the Koch dynasty in the style
of medieval temples. The temple is a natural cave with a spring. Down a flight
of steps to the bowel of earth, is located a dark, mysterious chamber. Here, draped
with a silk sari and covered with flowers, Is kept the ‘Manta yoni’. There are
images of Ganesha, Chamundeswari , dancing features etc. other temples on the
Neelachala hill include those of Tara, Bhairavi , Bhuvaneswari and Ghantakarna.
A unique festival observed here is the Ambubasi (ameti)
fertility festival. It is believed that, the Goddess (mother earth) undergoes
her menstrual period during this period. At the time the temple is closed for
three days and opened with great festivity on the fourth day. It is believed to
be inauspicious to till the ground or to plant seeds, during this period. Group
of devotees arrive each morning with goats to offer to Shakti. It attracts
pilgrims from all over India, especially during the Ambuchi festivals.
Durga Puja is celebrated annually during Navaratri (Durga
puja in west Bengal) in the month of September – October. It is a three day
festival attracting several visitors.
How to Reach
By Air
The temple is located at Guwahati. Guwahati has it own
airport. Hence , reaching kamakhya Temple by air is not a problem. Guwahati
airport is well connected with rest of the country.
By Rail
Guwahati has it own railway station. It is well- connected
to all the parts of the country. Before reaching Guwahati station a station
called Kamakhya where all the major trains stopped for a while. (Rajdhani
ex.usually doesn’t stop.)
By Road
Guwahati has well – defined roads connecting it to all the
parts of the state and the country.
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