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The Kamakhya Temple is one of the 108 'Shakti Peethas' making it the most acclaimed Shakti shrines in
the country. Perched on the Nilachal Hill and overlooking the West of the Guwahati city, it is one of the
most ancient temples in the state. It is dedicated to goddess Sati, an embodiment of goddess Durga and the
consort of Lord Shiva. The temple boasts of having medieval style structure that represents contributions
of the Koch Royal Family. Owing to an old fable, the temple was neglected but it gained popularity during
the rule of the Ahom kings, who were ardent devotees of Shakti. A unique part of this temple is the
method of worship, which involves both traditional practices as well as a local indigenous manner.
According to the eminent Assamese scholar, Banikanta Kakati, the temple continues to follow ancient
practices of pig sacrifices that were an important part of the 'Gora' tribes in the region. Even today, during
the festive season, this shrine attracts hundreds of 'Hindu-tantra' devotees. The article below gives you a
detailed description on the history and significance of the Kamakhya Temple.

History
One of legend says that the demon Narakasura fell in love with Goddess Kamakhya Devi
once and he wanted to marry her. But as a goddess cannot marry a demon or asura,
Goddess Kamakhya devi played a trick to save herself. She laid a condition that she would
marry him only if he builds a mandir for her within one night. Narakasura agreed to it and
almost finished building the temple overnight. This scared Goddess Kamakhya Devi and
before the final steps of the temple were completed, a cock was sent to cry cock-a-doodledo to announce the arrival of the morning, before it was actually dawn. This made
Narakasura very angry and he killed the cock on that spot. But according to the condition
Narakasura couldn't marry Goddess Kamakhya Devi after that. It is said that the present
Kamakhya temple is the same that Narakasura had made for Kamakhya Devi.

According to legend, the Kamakhya Temple is said to be the secret place where Sati and Shiva used to
meet. Another story states that it was the exact place where Sati's 'yoni' fell when Shiva was carrying back
her body. The word 'Kamakhya' is mentioned in the ancient Sanskrit text, Kalika Purana and it cites that
this is a representation of Kali's vulva. On the other hand, the temple's structure was said to be erected by
King Chilarai, a descendant of the Koch family, in 1565AD. But after its construction, it was believed that
the Koch Bihar Royal members were expelled from entering the temple by the goddess herself. In parts of
the Nilachal Hill, the Kamakhya temple is said to have undergone many changes without the royal
family's patronage. In 1658, when King Jayadhvaj Singha (of the Ahom dynasty), seized the lower half of
the city, the temple received the attention of these rulers who restored the place to its present form. In the
following years, successors of this dynasty became ardent devotees of Shaktism and Shaivism. In 1714,
when Siba Singha came into power, he handed over the responsibility of temple supervision to
Krishnaram Bhattacharyya who was the head priest then.

Historical Religious
Text

Author

1.

Harshacharita

Babhaa

2.

Mahabharata

3.

Mrichchhakatika

4.

Mlavikgnimitram

Klidsa

5.

Gita Govinda

Jayadeva

Veda Vysa or
Vyasa Muni
draka
(Shudraka)

Babhaa,

6.

Kadambari

7.

Hitopdesha

Narayana Pandit

8.

Shishupala Vadha

Mgha

9.

Aryabhatiya

Aryabhata

10.

Panchatantra

Vishnu Sharma

Ravuri
Bharadhwaja