Devi Temple : Kamaksha, Assam

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The ancient kingdom of Kamrup today is known as Assam. It is famed

for its locations in the cool hills of north-eastern India, its tea

estates which give the world fine Darjeeling Tea, and its wild life

sanctuaries. It too have its own rich traditions of Hinduism and

Hindu architecture. It was here that the hoary sage Vashishta lived.

 

Nevertheless the most renowned of the state's temple is the

Kamaksha.

Located on the Nilachal hill, about six miles out of Guwahati. It is

a tantaric shrine to the Mother Goddess and a powerful place. The

hill shrine, within which is a cave, is reached by way of steep stone

steps. Kamaksha, the primal diety lives in the cave guarded by two

mighty stone lions who dare the devotee to overcome hardships and

venture to her rocky abode for worship. Kamaksha has no tangible

image – there is no icon in the sanctum – nor any rule of

worship.

Pilgrims climb the hill to ask her blessings in time of need and pray

to her as they will.

 

It is believed that when 51 parts of Sati's body fell to the

ground,

it was here that her Yoni fell. Thus the age-old shrine is a center

of Sakti worship. Kamaksha is believed to have been destroyed by

Muslims invaders in the 16th century but was rebuilt with bricks

baked in ghee by two grateful and obviously wealthy devotees,

Sukladeva and Malladeva whose kingdom the goddess has restored to

them.

 

Devadasis are said to dance the Tandava Nritya ( cosmic dance, dance

of destruction ) of Siva at a special mela held at Kamaksha temple.

Men are forbidden from watching the performance.

 

 

OM ParaShaktiye Namaha