Kamakhya Temple Wildlife

The Kamakhya Temple which is also known as the Kamrup-Kamakhya is a Hindu temple dedicated to the mother goddess Kamakhya. This temple is one of the oldest temples out of the 51 Shakti Pithas.

The Kamakhya Temple is situated on the Nilachal Hill in the western part of the capital city of Guwahati in Assam, India. It is actually a major temple out of all the individual temples dedicated to the ten Mahavidyas. 

Apart from being a famed pilgrimage site; the Kamakhya temple also counts to be an exceptional and one of its kind temples in the country. The deity of the temple which is the Kamakhya Devi is known as the ‘Bleeding Goddess’.

It is considered that the ‘Garvagriha‘or the sanctum sanctorum of the temple encompasses the mythical womb and vagina of the Hindu goddess, Shakti.

The most interesting fact about the temple is that each year during the month of Ashaad in the month of June, the River Brahmaputra which is near Kamakhya turns red in color and the reason why this happens is believed to be that the goddess ‘menstruates’ during this period.

Taking this to be a woman’s supremacy of giving birth to a child, the deity and the temple of Kamakhya is a pure merriment of this ‘shakti’ that lies within each woman.

The true historic story that lies behind the origin of this temple is quite fascinating. It basically revolves around the two Hindu lords Shiva and his beloved wife, Sati.

History says that lord Shiva’s wife, Sati fought with her husband to be a part of the grand yagna that her father was offering to please the gods to which both lord Shiva and his wife were not given an invitation. Sati paid no attention to her husband’s advice and headed straight to the yagna sadly, only to be insulted by her father.

Kamakhya finds its name from the Hindu God of love, Kamadeva and as the history goes, lord Shiva had sought out Shakti’s womb and genitals after having lost virility to the curse.

As a homage to Shakti and her ability to lend back Kamadeva his potency, the deity of Kamakhya Devi was installed which till today is continue to be worshipped.

The place where the Kamakhya temple stands today is also considered to be the place where Shiva first courted Sati.

In a country that continues to have an outdated outlook towards menstruation and sees it something as unholy and gruesome, it becomes really important for all of us to know the progressive move that the Kamakhya temple portrays exuberantly.

The temple manages to attract a huge number of devotees even in lakhs sometimes during the period of the annual ' Ambubachi Mela' which are the days of the Great Goddess's annual menstruation. This festival in particular is celebrated in the month of June. 

Also, other occasions such as the annual "Manasha Puja', "Durga Puja' and also the Navratri can be included in the list of celebrations. One should avoid visiting the temple in such periods of festivities to stay clear of unprecedented crowds and unnecessary hassles unless the trip is intended that way. The Kamakhya Temple receives offerings from devotees in the form of 'animal sacrifice' almost each day. 

The timings of visiting the Kamakhya Temple are from morning to 1300 hours. You must avoid a morning darshan if you cannot stand the sight which is in full view and indeed gruesome. 

You can easily reach the temple via share taxies and autos that are available at expected rates or you can also take the climbing route which is about 4 kilometers.