Divine feminine energy at the Maa Kamakhya Temple is not just a place of worship but a journey into ancient tantra, spiritual awakening and cultural feelings, says ABHI SINGHAL

Scattered with red roli (vermilion) around and inside, the Maa Kamakhya Temple epitomises spirituality, power, and strength. The temple is located atop Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam. The temple being on the top will let you have a decent walk. The distance has a market of flowers, local Assam items, and more. 

As soon as you enter the Kamakhya Temple, you feel something different and it makes you feel more powerful, especially if you are a woman. The premises of the temple have goats roaming all around the temple surrounded by devotees. The worshipping structure is in the form of a yoni (womb) with water inside it. 

Ancient Tantra

Dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, the temple is celebrated as a vital centre of tantric practices, symbolising the divine feminine energy. It is one of the oldest among the 51 Shakti Peethas, believed to mark the spot where the yoni of Goddess Sati fell, as per Hindu mythology. The temple’s primary focus of worship is an aniconic yoni set in natural stone having a deep connection with fertility and creation.

Historical Significance

The Kamakhya Temple is a blend of 8th- and 9th-century architecture, influenced by various dynasties that ruled the region. Its unique Nilachal architectural style is an amalgamation of local designs and influences from the Palas, Koch, and Ahoms. 

The sanctum sanctorum houses Tripurasundari, Matangi, and Kamalatmika, while individual temples for Kali, Tara, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, and other Mahavidyas are spread across the precinct. This distinctive layout makes it an unparalleled center for the worship of the Mahavidyas.

Sacrificial House

Not all the happenings need an explanation, some are done because they are needed from the ancient time and carry a spiritual importance. One of the same is the Sacrificial House in the Kamakhya Temple, which offers bali (sacrifice) of animals to the Goddess. Soft-hearted people are requested not to watch the same, but the ones who can watch it could feel different because some happenings open that side of your soul and life that you might have never imagined.

Ambubachi Mela

The temple is globally renowned for hosting the Ambubachi Mela, an annual festival that celebrates the Goddess's menstruation, symbolising the fertility of the Earth. This festival attracts lakhs of devotees, ascetics, and visitors. The mela is a powerful reminder of the sacredness of womanhood and its connection to creation.

With heaps of crowds, and hours of line people stand in to get the darshan at the Maa Kamakhya Temple. 

Fact Sheet

Snana of the Pithasthana     5:30 AM

Nitya puja       6:00 AM

Doors open (morning)          8:00 AM

Temple door closed

for cooked offerings 

to the goddess                     1:00 PM

Doors open (reopen)           2:30 PM

Closing of the temple 

door for the night          5:15 PM

Aarati of Goddess     7:30 PM