STORY OF KAMAKHYA TEMPLE

Kamakhya Temple, also known as Kamrup’s Kanya Temple or the “Temple of Bliss”, is located in Guwahati, Assam. The Kamakhya Temple is Guwahati’s most well-recognised landmark. It was built before the 10th century by the Koch dynasty and has had a long history. 

The mythology surrounding the Kamakhya Temple is intricately linked with the legend of Sati, the first wife of Lord Shiva. According to the myth, King Daksha organized a grand yajna but intentionally excluded Shiva, Sati’s husband. Unable to bear the insult to her husband, Sati self-immolated in the sacrificial fire.

The Bleeding Goddess

One of the most intriguing aspects of Kamakhya Temple is the belief in the menstruation of the Goddess. According to local folklore, the stone image of the Goddess in the temple’s sanctum experiences menstrual flow annually during the Ambubachi Mela, a festival celebrated in June. Devotees believe that during these three days, the Earth’s creative energy is renewed, symbolizing the fertility aspect of the Goddess.

The western chamber is rectangular in shape, while the middle chamber is square in shape. The middle chamber consists of inscriptions and images of Naranarayana. The most sacred shrine is located within the temple, which is also the third chamber. The third chamber with a yoni-like cleft in the bedrock is in the form of a cave. The temple also has a natural spring, which flows through the cleft. This spring helps in keeping the chamber moist.