Secrets Of Kamakhya Temple
The hills of Nilachal, in the West of Guwahati, Assam is the home of the menstruating goddess, Kamakhya Devi. Kamakhya temple is a perfect example of irony in India since menstruating women are not allowed inside this temple. Not only is this temple famous for the irony, but it is also famous for some great astonishing miracles that happen during the main ‘pooja’ time in the month of Ashaad. Let us understand the history and significance of this temple.
The Kamakhya temple is one among the 51 Shakthi Peeths that is spread over India. Legend and mythology tell us that Sati, the wife of Shiva wanted to go for a yagna conducted by Sati’s father Daksha despite Shiva’s disapproval. At the yagna itself, Daksha insulted Shiva.
Unable to bear this embarrassment, Sati committed suicide by jumping into the fire. An angry Shiva held the body in his hands and started doing the Rudra Thandav – the dance of destruction. Lord Vishnu then tried to calm him down by cutting Sati’s body into 51 parts with his Sudharshana Chakra.
The uterus of Sati is said to have fallen at Nilachal, Guwahati which then became the Kamakhya Devi temple. The speciality of this temple is that worshippers come to offer their pooja to the yoni or the ‘vagina’ of the goddess that is kept in the Garvagriha.
Kamakhya temple is known for the Ambuvasi Pooja that happens in the month of Ashaad. The temple is kept locked for four days, as it is considered that the goddess is menstruating. The yoni is covered with a white cloth and left for four days. On the 4th day, festivity and pooja happen in the temple. The astonishing miracle to which no one has a solid explanation for is that the cloth turns red after four days.
At the same time, it is noticed that even the river Brahmaputra turns red. But some people say that this happens when the sages pour vermillion into the river as part of one of their rituals. Despite such answers, this temple has never failed to astound a lot of people and devotees.
It is also known that The Kama, the goddess of love sought to this Devi for blessings when he lost his virility because of a curse. This is where the god of love gained his potency, and thus, the statue of the goddess was also installed. The name ‘Kamakhya’ means lovemaking in Sanskrit. Some people also believe that this was the place where Shiva and Sati made love.
Kamakhya temple is ancient and well maintained, and many statues of Hindu gods and goddesses are installed and painted on the walls of the temple. To get to the yoni or the Garvagriha, one has to go down a steep set of stairs which also has a story of its own.
History tells us that the demon Naraka fell in love with the Kamakhya goddess and wanted to marry her. The goddess did not want to reject him directly. So, she instead came up with a plan and asked Naraka to construct a set of staircases before it dawns. Narakha got to the task and was close to finishing it.
A scared and shocked goddess immediately choked the neck of the rooster and made it crow before dawn. Thinking that it had dawned already, Naraka left and thus left the set of stairs unfinished. When he got to know about this treasury, he killed the rooster.
Such stories, temples, and astonishing miracles are what strengthen the belief in the almighty and an omnipotent power in the hearts of many devotees. This is what gives them the hope that there is a Shakthi that takes care of them. Religion is a powerful and sensitive notion in India. The power of this goddess is firmly believed in and has said to cure the problems of women devotees.
So readers! Put this temple on your bucket list of places that you must go and visit!
