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Located in Guwahati, Assam, the Kamakhya Devi Temple is one of the most important temples in India. Also known as Kamrup Kanya Temple or the Temple of Bliss, it is one of the oldest Hindu temples in India. Moreover, the temple dates back to the 8th or 9th century and has been rebuilt many times since its formation. It is located 7 km from the Guwahati railway station and 4 km from the Kamakhya railway station. Every year the temple attracts thousands of visitors from all over India. However, it holds a few unresolved mysteries and secrets. Here are some interesting facts about the Kamakhya Devi temple that you need to know!
What is Special about Kamakhya Devi Temple?
1. The name Kamakhya translates to “she who fulfils desires”.
2. The Kamakhya Devi Temple is situated at the top of Nilachal Hills, providing visitors with breathtaking views.
3. People believe that the Kamakhya Devi Temple originated when the womb or yoni of Sati fell on the earth.
4. The temple consists of seven oval steeples, each capped with three golden pitchers.
5. During the month of June (Ashaad), the river Brahmaputra turns red. It is believed that it happens due to the biological process of mensuration. This is known as the famous Ambubachi Mela.
6. The temple remains closed for three days when the Goddess Kamakhya undergoes her menstrual cycle.
7. This menstruating goddess is seen as a symbol of fertility and creation in Hindu mythology.
8. The Kamakhya Devi Temple is one of the major 18 Maha Shakti Peethas among the 108 Shakti Peethas.
9. King Nara Narayana of Cooch Behar rebuilt the temple in the 16th Century.
10. The earliest record of the temple’s construction belongs to Siba Singha, the eldest son of Rudra Singha.
11. It is also one of the prime locations for Tantric practices involving chanting mantras and performing rituals.
12. Tantric priests, known as Ojhas or Maithuns, are easily found practising Tanktrik rituals at this temple to invoke the goddess.
13. Unlike most Hindu temples where devotees worship idols, the Kamakhya Devi temple stands apart due to the absence of an idol.
14. The temple also highlights a blend of ancient and modern architectural influences.
15. The ten smaller temples around the main temple are dedicated to the ten most important goddesses in Shaktism. Out of these 10, three deities including Tripurasundari, Matangi and Kamala, reside in the main temple whereas the other seven in their own temples.
16. In July 2015, the Supreme Court of India gave the responsibility of running the temple to Border Samaj.
17. The underground portion of the temple has a natural cave where Kamakhya Devi resides.
18. The Kamakhya Devi temple complex has a useful purpose to the Ten Mahavidyas, which are the Baglamukhi, Chhinnamasta, Kamalatmika, Bhuvaneshwari, Dhumvati, Tara, Matangi, Kali, Sodashi, and Bhairavi.
19. The Kamakhya Temple is also surrounded by several ponds, which devotees believed to be full of divine powers.
FAQs
One special fact about Kamakhya temple is that it is an important site for tantric priests to conduct rituals. Moreover, the temple contains a blend of modern and traditional architectural styles.
The mystery of Kamakhya Temple is that people believe this was the spot where the yoni or womb of goddess Sati fell after Lord Shiva did tandav (the dance of destruction) with her corpse.
The Kamakhya Devi temple holds great cultural and religious significance for the people of India. Devotees consider the goddess Kamakhya a symbol of fertility and the one who fulfils all their wishes.
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