MAA KAMAKHYA

Goddess Kamakhya blessed the entire range of Nilachal Hill and the region by Her holy presence. She is the manifestation of the supreme cosmic energy. The vibrant saktipitha is the incarnation of Mother and make it as religio-spiritual site of great importance. Many community of the North Eastern states continue to maintain the ancient relationship with the Goddess Kamakhya .She is the deity of several community. Her name signifies a variety of aspects to different community . She is also the deity of Mother earth, that the farmer do not till their field during the yearly period of symbolic menstruation. Maa Kamakhya is the unifying factor of religio-cultural belief of all the communities from ancient time at this region.

Her divine power has crossed the regional barrier . From nook and corner the devotees are coming for the blessing of Maa Kamakhya. It is the most potent symbol of heritage and religious belief of a major part of population in India. Now a days it is not only the place of worship but also a site of unification.

The Nilachal Hill

Nilachal Hill is the abode of Mother Kamakhya,situated in the bank of mighty Brahamaputra , in Guwahati,Assam.The Temple complex on this hill is about ten kilometer away from the main city.The Assam Trunk road is passing by the Hill. The temple is about 180 meter above the surrounding area.Nilachal Hill has been variously mentioned as Nilakuta, Nilapaarvata, Nilgiri, Kamaparvata etc at the ancient time.

The Nilachal Hill being situated in the bank of the mighty perennial river, water ways was traditionally the main source of communication earlier .Four foot paths from four directions leading to the top of the Hill.Out of the four paths, the one from eastern side through rocky terrain called Mekhela-Ujuwa, traditionally the most popular and believed to be blessed with prosperity ,if climbed through this path. The path form Northern, Pandunath , provides salvation , and the path from western side blessed to gain Kingdom. The path from southern side brings bad luck, and mostly avoided .The stone paved path from the east was however popular among the pilgrimages .There were twelve ghat (river dock) on the bank of the river around the Nilachal Hill for ferry services earlier.

During 1956-1958 the three Kilometer long motorable road connecting Assam Trunk Road to Kamakhya temple was constructed from the northern side of the hill.A new road from western side has recently been constructed towards Kamakhya Temple connecting the road at the eastern side near the Temple. Even today the footpaths from northern and eastern was used by devotees , however the ghat (river docks ) are hardly used and some of are not exist at present.

Mythology

The facts of Kamakhya temple are covered in mystery. The earliest phase of history is available from the traditional history , puranas and tantras.The actual time of establishment of Kamakhya temple is not known .In kalikapuran ,written in 9th century AD, the existence of Kamakhya temple can be traced. Again In Mahabharat composed in 1st century AD, it was mentioned that the Pandavas came to Kamakhya Temple to worship. Therefore it may be presumed that the worship continues for hundreds year but the temple was constructed at the later part. There is a place called Pandunath , a water front , at the western end of Nilachal Hill.It is believed that Panch Pandav during their agyatavas (exile) came to this place, bathed in the river and worshiped Kamakhya Devi to regain the lost Kingdom.In Kalikapuran,the earliest documents also contains detail on Kamakhya Temple. As per the purana, Kamrupa , the ancient name of Assam, also derived its name from Devi Kamakhya.Naraka is the prominent figure in kalikapuran.Visnu, the father of Naraka brought him to Kamrupa and Kamakhya was the rulling Goddess who dwelt with Siva secretly. Vishnu told Naraka to worship Goddess Kamakhya, but Naraka attacked and defeted Ghataka ,the king of Kamrupa. It is therefore presumed that Kamakhya devi was deity of Kamrupa also known as Pragjyotisa even before the advent of Naraka.In Kalikapuran,another legend is mentioned where relation is drawn between the death episode of sati and origin of Kamakhya.Daksa, the son of Bramha and father of Sati, organised a Yajna and invited God and Goddess except Sati and Her husband Lord Siva as he did not like Siva due to his way of living , but Sati came uninvited to meet with others and reprimanded by his father badly. Out of grief Sati gave up her body and on hearing this ,Siva became angry and destroyed sacrificial place and roamed around the universe with anguish carrying the body of Sati in His shoulder. This resulted panic and jeopardies the existence of universe. To bring Shive to His scenes, Lord Visnu started secretly detaching the organs from the body of Sati. Lord Visnu cut the body of Sati into fifty one parts. Wherever her limb feel ,that turned into a shrine. The place of the Hill where yoni of Sati fell, turned into blue and the place came to know as Nilachal.The yoni mandala of Sati exists in a form of stone and the Kamakhya pitha came in to being.The yogini Tantar is also the important source of information on myths of Kamakhya Temple.Here the deity of Kamakhya Temple is said to be Kali.

History

In the Kalikapuran it is mentioned that Pragjyotispur , the ancient capital of Pragjyotisa alias Kamrupa was in the middle of Kingdom where Kamakhya Devi dwelt. The facts of Kamakhya Temple is mixed with myth, history and legends. This temple presumed to have come into prominence during the reign of Naraka, who was the main ruler of Kamrupa. But the history is obscure till the rise of Koch Kingdom during the mid 16th century AD on the existence of Kamakhya Temple.It is said that during the reign of Biswa Singha,1520-1540 AD, the temple was re-built for the first time, however no historical evidence was found. The history of Kamakhya Temple was found accurately from the reign of the successor King Naranarayana, he renovated the temple in 1565 AD.From the beginning of 17th century AD,Assam history entered in a new phase as Ahom established themselves as the major force. In the reign of Shiva Singha, the Ahom King, during 1714 to 1744 AD, the royal patronage was extended to Kamakhya temple and the other temples of Nilachal Hill.Pramatta Singha successor of Shiva Singha during 1744 to 1751 AD also continued to render the royal patronage. During the reign of Rajeswara Singha, 1751 to 1768 AD, the Natmandir towards western side was annexed.With the beginning of British rule in Assam, the history of Kamakhya Temple went into oblivion. The great earth quake in 1897 AD destroyed the temple, however could be rebuilt with the assistance of the devoted Kings of the nearby areas.The history of Kamakhya Temple indicates the Royal patronage rendered and also respected the sentiment of the people on Goddess Kamakhya by extending the assistance as when required.

Architecture of the Temple

The temple consists of three chambers in addition the main shikhara. The first one to the west is called calanta ,it is a square chamber type of atchala . The entrance to the temple is generally via its northern door, which is of Ahom type dochala. The walls of this chamber contain sculpted images related inscriptions and other Gods. It leads into the garbhagriha through the descending steps.The pancharatna to the west of calanta is large and rectangular with flat roof and five smaller shikharas of the same style . The middle shikhara is bigger than the other four and typical in pancharatna style.The natamandira extends to the west of the pancharatna with an apsidal end and ridged roof of the Ranghar type Ahom style. Its inside walls bear inscriptions from Rajeswar Singha of 1759 century and Gaurinath Singha of 1782 century which indicates the period in which the structure was built. The outer wall has stone sculptures from an earlier period embedded on it.The structural design and the rock-cut sculpture in the vicinity of the temple indicates that the temple was reconstructed and renovated many times in the period 8th,to 9th, 11th to 14th centuries and even in the later centuries. The current form beyond 16th century given the temple a hybrid and indigenous style which is called the Nilachal type consists a temple with a hemispherical dome . The shikhara over the garbhagriha has a pancharatha. The top of the plinths are similar of dados of Khajuraho or the Central Indian type which is consisting of sunken panels .The panels of the plinth have delightful sculptured of Lord Ganesha and other Gods and Goddesses.Though the lower portion is of stone, the shikhara in the shape of a polygonal like dome which is made of brick . The shikhara is circled by angashikaras of Bengal type charchala. The shikhara, angashikharas and other chambers were built in the 16th century and thereafter. The inner place within the shikhara of the garbhagriha, is below ground level and consists of a rock crevasse in the shape of a yoni . The garbhagriha is reached by narrow steep made of stone steps. It is dark and a small place. Inside the cave there is a stone that slopes downwards from both sides meeting 10 inches deep to each other. This hollow space is always filled with water from an underground perennial spring. It is the shape of depression which is worshiped as the goddess Kamakhya .

Sculptures

The Nilachal Hill is having abundant old sculptures scattered around the pitha.The sculpture remain originally belonged to ancient temple structure. The scattered sculptures like panels, images of God and Goddess, and the figure fixed on the wall of the present Kamakhya temple and other temples in Nilachal Hill. From the scattered structure it reveals that the Temple was reconstructed many times. The sculptures frond to be of different period and made in different designs as follows,

1.Sculpture on the body of the Temple.

This sculptures are on Divine, semi Divine figures, figures of men and women ,animals in different posture.

2.Scuipture on the gateways .

Five ancient gates on the footpath lead to Kamakhya Temple were constructed in 16th to 18th century AD.Three exist on the exit path from the eastern side, one at the foot hill and other near the temple premises .The craftmanship indicate that the block utilised form other structure. The figure of human, mother and child, ,divine figure, lion, dancing Ganesha, standing female with flower, seated male, male playing flute, warrior etc.

3.Isolated sculptures.

The isolated sculptures found of different form like door jamb, celling slab ,broken plinth, male figure in yogic posture ,four handed female in meditation etc.

4.Rock cut Image.

Some natural rocks of Nilachal hill are also containing sculptures .The quality and style of the workmanship reflects that these sculptures belong to different period.

Inscriptions.

Mainly two types of inscriptions are available at Nilachal Hill.The stone and metallic inscriptions. The oldest among that, is the stone epigraph which is a rock inception. This is known as Umachal rock inception of 5th century AD and also regarded as the oldest in North East India. The inscriptions found in Nilachal are mainly documents that were issued for maintenance of the Temple and its renovation, constructions, issuing land grants to the priests etc. Eighteen inscriptions of Nilachal Hill have been translated and documented.

Dasamahavidya

Dasamahavidya indicates ten different incarnations of Sati. There are ten different pithas in the Nilachal hills where these ten incarnations of Sati are worshiped. These ten forms of Sati are collectively called Dashmahavidya. This is mentioned in the oral history of Kalikapurana and Chandi Tantra. The various forms of Dasamahavidya are Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhairabi, Bhubaneswari, Chinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagala, Matangi and Kamala.The Kali is worshiped to satisfy saturn grah . Special puja is performed every Saturday. No idol of the deity is worshiped during worship or sacrifice, the idol of the deity described in Tantra is invoked.Tara is worshiped to please planet Jupiter .Tripura Sundari is worshiped as the deity of Budha. Special puja is offered every Wednesday. The Tripura Sundari is considered to be sixteen years old and is therefore also known as Sodosi.Bhairabi is the only deity that does not belong to any planet. Bhairabi Puja is celebrated in Tantric way. The Bhairavi Peetha of Kamakhya is called the Tripura Bhairavi.Bhubaneswari is the deity of moon. Special puja is offered on Friday. Bhubaneswari is also known as Rajarajeshwari and Annapurna. She is worshiped in the Tantric way.Chhinnamasta is worshiped as the Goddess of the Rahu planet.Dhumavati is worshiped as the god of Jupiter in Kamakhya. A special puja is performed every Thursday.Bagala is the Goddess of Mars. Special puja is offered on Tuesdays. During this puja, two ways are followed in this pitha, namely Bamamarg and Dakshinmarg.Matangi is considered to be the god of the planet Ravi. Puja is performed during Durga Puja.Kamala is the deity of the planet venus and the last deity of Dasamahavidya. The goddess is worshiped on Monday In the main temple of Kamakhya.There is no separate Temple of Matangi and Kamala and worship is done in Kamakhya Temple.The daily worship of Kamakhya pitha is traditionally stopped during Ambubachi, but the worship of other pithas of Dashamahavidya continueing for the last few decades.

Tantra

The ancient and significant place of Tantric worship in India is Kamakhya Temple.The strong link between tantric worship and this ancient Goddess is significant. In traditional religious practices the male is dominant and Gods are given a higher power over Goddess. However for tantric worshippers Devi of Shakti is at the center of their worship. The tantric worshippers give lot of importance on the power of the female energy. This is also the center the of Tantra worship .This temple attracts thousands of tantric devotees to an annual festival known as the Ambubachi Mela.

Mantra

Goddess Kamakhya Siddha Peeth is a miraculous place in itself, where seekers from far and wide keep coming to attain perfection in their Tantra means.Worship of Goddess Kamakhya is going to give fast results. Devotees who worship Goddess Kamakhya regularly, they enjoy happiness throughout their life, sorrows remain far away from such a person. Today we are going to give you information about some powerful mantras of Goddess Kamakhya, using which you can also make your life happy.

Maa Kamakhya Devi Mantra :-

1. Maa Kamakhya Devi Beej Mantra –

||क्लीं क्लीं कामाख्या क्लीं क्लीं नमः ||

2. Maa Kamakhya Tantric Mantra/:-

|| त्रीं त्रीं त्रीं हूँ हूँ स्त्रीं स्त्रीं कामाख्ये प्रसीद स्त्रीं स्त्रीं हूँ हूँ त्रीं त्रीं त्रीं स्वाहा ||

3. Maa Kamakhya Devi Pranam Mantra –

||कामाख्ये कामसम्पन्ने कामेश्वरि हरप्रिये ।

कामनां देहि मे नित्यं कामेश्वरि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

4. Maa Kamakhya Vashikaran Mantra –

|| ॐ नमो कामाक्षी देवी आमुकी में वंशं कुरु कुरु स्वः ||

5. माँ कामाख्या देवी सिन्दूर प्रयोग का मंत्र : –

||कामाख्याये वरदे देवी नीलपर्वतावासिनी |

त्व देवी जगत माता योनिमुद्रे नमोस्तुते ||

Puja

The power of God only can only be experienced when one had to pass through the evil forces, paranormal phenomenon. People used to believe that the reason behind the cure at this temple is the presence of Goddess Kali in ten different forms. The priests, and the sadhus lived in and around the temple offer the puja of performing the removal of evil forces . The tantric rituals perform to remove the evil force strengthened at this temple as it is the place where all ten Mahavidyas that is ten forms of Kali stay together.

Vashikaran Puja

Vashikaran is a ritual in the field of Tantras and Mantras. Through this ancient Tantra ritual it is believed that one can gain control over someone else mind. The Vashikaran Puja is a process belived to influence another person’s mind to work as per the wishes and desires of others.'Vashi' means to attract and Karan means to control . Therefore Vashikaran, means the ability to attract a person and gain control over his mind and thoughts .Ultimately said to influence him to behave, think and act according to other desires. If Vashikaran puja is performed correctly it is said to yield almost miraculous results as it influences people and also creates a favorable environment that makes ones dreams and wishes to come true. Puja performed may vary according to the objective but usually involves puja rituals performed while using certain yoga postures, recitation of specific mantras, use of yantras and use of specific herbs. It is cautioned that if people use Vashikaran puja negatively with the intention of harming other people will a1lso harmed themselves. Performing this puja for unethical reasons will affect the priest or person.

Puja for Infertility and Childless Couples

Kamakhya Maa is not only the source of creation, she is also influence fertility and related bodily functions. The name Kamakhya literally means it is she who whose is the Goddess of Sexual Desire and it's functionality. Goddess, Kamakhya is said to fulfill the desire when it is desired by anybody that is the granter of desires. So is the powerful ancient Goddess who grant women with the blessings of fertility and children when desired. Not only the women can pray her for fertility, men too offer prayers. Believed that the Kamadev , Lord of Love once cursed by Shiva and lost his virility and prayed to Kamakhya Temple to regained virility. This temple is said to be the the worthy place therefore for both husband and wife to offer prayers for having child.

Puja for Graha Dosha Nivaran

It is said that the position of the planets during the time of birth has a enormous effect on the outcome on the quality of one's life. Planets appropriately placed bring wealth, happiness, success and prosperity. If the planets in horoscope are not well placed , it is believed that one can face hurdles every stage of life. Anyone having worries, anxiety, stress, delays in every stage and no progress in life said to having a Graha Dosha . It is believed that there is a good chance that this Graha dasa Nivaran puja can significantly decrease the ill effects of badly placed planets and give happiness and prosperity. From hundreds of years people offered Navagraha Puja at Kamakhya Temple for Graha Dosha Nivaran because this temple is having the existence of Mahavidyas of ten different forms of Maa Kali. Each one of these Mahavidyas is the representing deities for each Grahas .

Others

Other including Maa Manasa pujas also performed besides organiging marriage, annaprasan, upanayana, shraddha etc at the temple premises.

Festival

Ambubachi Mela

The scene of the Kamakhya temple electrifying during the Ambubachi fair as millions of devotees from all over the country gather at the temple on certain days of June every year. Peeth is the main ritual of Tantrics who sing songs and chant their devotion to the goddess. Ambubachi Mela is the most powerful time of the year for those who only come out to recharge their energy levels this time. The goddess Kamakhya is believed to be menstruating during this three-day fair. The temple is closed at this time.It is believed that the stream flowing from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple turns red during these three days to signify the menstruation of the goddess. Devotees are not allowed to enter the temple at this time. Inside the temple, the goddess is given aarti and other rituals and is worshiped. Believing her menstruation, she was given a piece of red cloth. On the fourth day, the temple is reopened with great festivities.

Durga Puja during Navratri:

Durga Puja is held during Navratri. The goddess Kamakhya herself is the manifestation of Durga, and no separate idol is worshiped. An idol of Goddess Durga is painted on a clay and is worshiped throughout the nine days of this festival. The film was then submerged in the Brahmaputra river. At this time the whole temple is decorated with flowers and other materials. The sidewalks have also been paved and illuminated. The whole environment changes. The temple is more crowded on the eighth and ninth. On Mahaashtami, thousands of devotees throng the temple and offer sacrifices. A human model made of flour is also sacrificed as an ancient tradition of this worship.

Deodhani dance

Deodhani is one of the significant ceremonies associated with the Kamakhya temple. Deodhani is a shamanistic dance. It means the spiritual power of God or Goddess and manifested through this dance. It is performed every year during Manasa Puja.

Janmashtami

Janmashtami is celebrated in Kamakhya temple. Worship is performed at the Kamaleshwar temple, a few steps away from the Nilachal hill. Worship is also done in Kamakhya temple on the same occasion. No idol is worshiped. No sacrifices are made during this festival, which is unique in its kind.

Sevaits

The Kamakhya Temple is the most vibrant place in India. An important aspect of this temple is the tradition of services which is essential in the management of the temple. Nominated group provide their services for the daily management of the temple. It is learnt that initially only five persons were appointed by the king for the management of the peeth, over time they changed their rank or their profession. The Kalikapurana mentions that Naraka brought priests and other people from northern India and settled in the Nilachal hills for the service of Mother Kamakhya. Twenty-two groups have been found to exist. The list of services and works in Kamakhya temple is mentioned below.

1.Pujari -Purohit,2.Athporia- Round the clock guard.,3.Duwari- Gate keeper.4. Balikata-executor5. Paneri-water supplier6. Khowar-Cook for bhog.7.Hetaenia-Helper .8. Chandika Pathak - Reciter of Chandi Stotra.9. Gayan-Singer.10. Tamuli-betel nut / flower supplier.11. Seal-barber12. Sonari-Gold Smith.13. Sacrifice- Helper of sacrifice.14. Bharali-Store Keeper.15. Bhandarkayastha- In charge of treasure.16. Kaurkhenia - In charge of keeping crows safe from bhog.17.Chaulkadha-Controller of rice consumption.18. Dadharua-Man engaged in sharpening the sacrificial knife.19. Jagmukti- Cleaning the Sacrifice Hole.20. Kharikatia-Wood cutter.21. Dhubi-Washerman.22. Majhi- Engaged in distribution of prasad.

Although this service group initially had specific services to be traditionally provided at the temple, there have been many changes in the way they serve. Some of the above groups are almost extinct. Ancient traditions are still maintained and the Kamakhya Temple is one of the best managed temples in India.

Visiting temple

The temple can be visited through out the year , but each season has its own attraction. Many people visit the temple during the rainy season in order to experience the Ambubachi Mela held here.The priests all around the temple dressed in red clothes and known as Pandas and are responsible for performing the different poojas and all the rituals at the temple. Pandas will approach to help the devotees to do the puja anyone`s choice and anybody can approach them for performing the puja. Using the service of the Pandas is not mandatory . Anybody can enter inside the temple through well maintained queue. The cleanliness in the temple premise is exceptional and run by an efficient Temple administration .The crowd and queue management is also very well and cause no inconvenience to the devotees visiting the temple .The daily activities of Kamakhya Temple starts from morning at 5.30 AM and ends at 5.30 PM with the closure of gate. The temple gate open for the visitors at 8.00 AM every morning .The Nitya puja followed by snana of the Goddess takes place before the gate is opened. If any one visit the temple in the morning after the bath, will definitely experience the piousness of the atmosphere of the temple. There are many shops on both sides of the entry lane of the temple and one can buy prasad, incense sticks, flower and other puja items . The devotees have to enter in the temple premises barefoot. Arrangements of keeping the footwear available outside, however need not to keep the camera, money pars, leather belt, mobile phone and other belongings keep away before entering the temple. However Photography inside the temple is strictly prohibited. One should be alert and abide by the rulers.Various kinds of entry queues formed to enter inside the temple which includes:

The free general entry – these queues are usually very long and on Tuesday or weekend it may take you 4 to 6 hours to get the darshan.Special Entry-Special Entry for those who belong to Police or Defiance services.Direct entry or VIP entry - It can be availed only after buying a ticket . On crowded days even this queue may take 1 to 2 hours before darshan in this queue.There is a separate entrance for VVIPs.

At the Garbagriaha , all the queue merges into a single queue their. The passage is narrow and lit by two lamps. The electrifying atmosphere is clearly experienced by the devotes. At 1 PM, in the every afternoon door of the temple is closed as food is offered to the Goddess. The same prasad then distributed to the devotes in Prasadalaya free of cost by collecting coupons. The gates of temple reopens at 2.30 PM after prasad distribution. The quality and quantity of food served is very good. All visitors may participate in the prasad offering. Before the closing of the temple at around 5.00 PM, the visitors can take part in the Aarti of Mother Goddess .Several places in the temple designated for performing certain rituals and practices like a fixed place for lightning diyas, a place to offer coconut water, a place to tie sacred threads and another place where the sacrificial ritual takes place.At present vaccination of COVID certification is required to enter inside the temple premises.

Daily Events

At 5:30 AM- Snana of Kamakhya Devi.At 6:00 AM- Nitya puja.At 8:00 AM - Temple opens for devotee.At 1:00 PM- Temple closed for offering food to Devi and following food distribution of prasad to devotees. At 2:30 PM - Temple reopens for the devotees. At 5.00 PM - Sandhya Aarati.At 5:30 PM- Closure of gate .

Communication

By air

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, is the closest airport to Kamakhya Temple. The shrine is located about 20 km away from the airport.

By rail

Kamakhya town has its own Kamakhya Railway Station. It is, however, advisable to de-board at the next stoppage that is Guwahati Railway Station, which is seven kilometer away because the maximum hotels are nearer to this station.

By road

The distance between Guwahati city to Kamakhya Temple is hardly eight kilometer. The Cab services is available from any point of Guwahati City. ASTC Shuttle Bus services is also available from various nodal points of Guwahati to the Temple and also economical. The Buses are available near the parking area and can be easily availed while returning from the Temple to reach the different locations down hill.

On foot

Come prepared to walk uphill by road to reach the shrine if you like . An alternative is to take the rock-cut staircase from the base of the Nilachal Hill almost near the entry gate.

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