Kamakhya Devi Temple, located atop the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam, is one of the most revered Hindu temples in India. This ancient shrine is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, the powerful embodiment of feminine energy. With its rich mythological and historical significance, the Kamakhya Devi Temple stands as a testament to the cultural and religious heritage of Assam. This temple is also famous for tantric practices and Ambubachi Mela.

According to Hindu mythology, Kamakhya Devi Temple holds deep connections with Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Sati. It is believed that when Devi Sati gave her life, Lord Shiva in pain and anger, was performing the Tandava, his dance of destruction, he inadvertently carried the charred body of Sati. In order to stop Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu unleashed his Sudarshan Chakra, which dismembered Sati's body into 51 different parts that fell across various locations in the Indian subcontinent. Each place where the 51 part of Goddess Sati fell are known as shaktipeeths. The reproductive organ of the goddess, known as the Yoni, is said to have fallen at the site where the Kamakhya Devi Temple stands today. And so it is said to be one of the 51 Shaktipeeths.

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The architecture of the Kamakhya Devi Temple reflects a unique blend of both Hindu and Tantric architectural styles. The temple complex consists of several shrines, with the main sanctum housing the yoni-shaped stone, which represents the goddess's reproductive power. The temple's exterior is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting various gods and goddesses. The vibrant colors, ornate patterns, and intricate designs create a mesmerizing visual spectacle, attracting devotees and tourists alike.

The Kamakhya Devi Temple is closely associated with the Tantric tradition, a mystical and esoteric branch of Hinduism. Tantric rituals, which involve the worship of the divine feminine energy, are performed within the temple premises. The Kamakhya Temple serves as an important center for Tantric practices and draws devotees seeking spiritual enlightenment, blessings, and fulfillment of desires.

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One of the most significant events held at the Kamakhya Devi Temple is the Ambubachi Mela, a four-day-long annual festival that celebrates the menstruation of the goddess. During this time, the temple remains closed as it is believed that the goddess undergoes her annual menstrual cycle. Devotees from all over the country gather to witness this unique phenomenon and seek the blessings of the goddess. The temple reopens on the fourth day, and the devotees are allowed to enter and receive the divine prasad (blessed offering). During this span of three days the Brahmaputra river turns red. During these three days some restrictions are observed by the devotees like not cooking, not performing puja or reading holy books, no farming etc. After three days, the Goddess is bathed and other rituals are performed to ensure that Goddess Kamakhya retrieves her purity.Then the doors of the temple are reopened and prasad is distributed.On the fourth day the devotees are allowed to enter the temple and worship devi Kamakhya. The Prasad is distributed in two forms – Angodak and Angabastra. Angodak means the fluid part of the body - water from the spring and Angabastra literally means the cloth covering the body - a piece of the red cloth used to cover the yoni rock during the days of menstruation.

The Kamakhya Devi Temple holds immense spiritual significance for devotees, particularly those seeking blessings for fertility, marriage, and childbirth. It is believed that the temple's sanctum houses the transformative power of the goddess, which can bless devotees with progeny and grant their heartfelt desires. The temple is also regarded as a place of healing, where people come to seek relief from physical ailments and find solace for their emotional and mental well-being.

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