{"id":2064,"date":"2020-10-30T08:12:10","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T08:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nexplore.org\/blog\/?p=2064"},"modified":"2025-02-03T17:33:54","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T17:33:54","slug":"maa-kamakhya-temple-guwahati","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nexplore.org\/blog\/maa-kamakhya-temple-guwahati\/","title":{"rendered":"Unveiling the Mysteries of Kamakhya Temple and the Ambubachi Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Situated in the heart of Guwahati city in the state of Assam Maa kamakhya temple is a frevered Shakti Peethas in India. At the top of the Neelachal hills, dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, a form of Shakti, this ancient temple is a symbol of divine femininity and fertility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati throughout the year to experience its spiritual energy and architectural grandeur. The temple’s intricate carvings and sculptures reflect its historical significance and artistic brilliance, dating back to the 8th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maa Kamkya Temple Guwahati decorated for Durga puja<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Sacred Abode of Shakti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The temple consists of four chambers: \u2014 garbhagriha<\/em> and three mandapas<\/em> locally called calanta<\/em>, pancharatna<\/em> and natamandira<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0garbhagriha<\/em>\u00a0is small, dark and reached by narrow steep stone steps. Inside the cave, there is a sheet of stone that slopes downwards from both sides meeting in a\u00a0yoni<\/em>-like depression some 10 inches deep. This hollow is constantly filled with water from an underground perennial spring. It is the vulva-shaped depression that is worshiped as the goddess Kamakhya herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legend has it that it is here the \u2018Yoni\u2019 of the mother fell after Shiva danced with her dead body. Shiva was not invited to the Yajna ceremony at Sati\u2019s paternal house by her father Daksha, and this had angered her. Also Daksha had insulted Shiva and Sati felt insulted and jumped into the pyre. When Shiva saw the dead body of Sati, he could not stay still any longer and started dancing with her corpse in his hands. Vishnu jee fearing destruction ran his Sudarshan Chakra and cut Sati\u2019s body into pieces, and each of these 108 pieces fell in what is today known as \u2018Peethas\u2019. There are 51 such Shakti Peethas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Check best tourist attractions in Guwahati<\/a> you don’t want to miss during your trip.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Ambubachi Mela<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most significant events at Kamakhya in Assam is the Ambubachi Mela<\/strong>, celebrated in June. This annual festival marks the menstruation period of Goddess Kamakhya, symbolizing the creative power of nature. The temples are closed at this time of the year for three days. Devotees and sadhus from across the country gather in large numbers, creating a vibrant and deeply spiritual atmosphere. It is also considered inauspicious to dig Mother Earth during the period or perform any religious functions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thorough cleaning of the temple happens on the fourth day after which the doors of the temple are opened to the devotees. This period is known as \u2018Ambubachi\u2019 and being the centre for Tantra worship this temple attracts thousands of tantra devotees from different parts of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other times of the year when the pilgrims flock to the temple to seek blessings are during both the autumn and the spring Navratras. The autumn Navratra when Durga Puja is celebrated sees scores of devotees rushing in to offer their prayers. On the Ashtami day, \u2018kumaris\u2019 or little girls are worshipped. They are believed to be the embodiment of the Mother. Girls are beautifully dressed and taken around the temple before and after the Puja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u2018Pandas\u2019 or priests have been the official caretakers of all the ceremonies and take care of all the rituals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kamakhya temple is an ode to Mother Nature\u2019s power to create, nurture and sustain life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Temple Timings:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Kamakhya Temple is open to devotees during the following timings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n