Kamakhya
The Kamakhya Temple, located at the Neelachal hills, on the banks of Brahmaputra in the city of Guwahati is one of its several religious landmarks, which says a lot about the rich authentic fortune over which the territory of Assam is situated.
This sacred temple in the core of the capital city of Assam holds more than it meets the eye of the passerby. The Kamakhya Temple had been built in worship to Goddess Kamakhya or Sati, who was one of the various manifestations of Goddess Durga or Goddess Shakti.
AMBUBACHI MELA
Ambubachi Mela, also known as the Ambubachi festival, is held annually during monsoon which is closely related to the tantric cult and is also known as Kamkhya Devi Puja.
It is believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through her menstrual cycle during these days and therefore the temple remains closed for the next four days.
During the time of Ambubachi, the temple stays shut and opens for devotees just on the concluding day of the celebration, which is trailed by elaborate rituals.
Temples all over the state of Assam stay shut for three days and agricultural work during this period is considered taboo.
The primary attraction for the devotees is the "Prasad" comprising of little bits of red-colored cloth supposedly moist with the menstrual liquid of the Goddess and considered to draw in good karma and appeal.
DURGA PUJA
The Durga Puja in Kamakhya Temple extends over a fortnight or 'Paksa' and is locally called 'Pakhuvapuja'
The most remarkable aspect of the Puja is that there is no image of Goddess Durga but the rituals are performed in the main 'pitha' or the sanctum/Sanctorum which is a conical shaped natural fissure about nine inches in length and 15 inches in width.
Special pujas are held each day during the fortnight with the doors of the temple closed to devotees during rituals performed by a team of priests selected for the occasion. The rituals in the temple during the fortnight are observed daily in three phases — the 'Pratah puja' or the morning rituals, 'Madhyahna puja' or mid-day puja and 'Sahinna puja' or the evening puja.
The Kamakhya Temple, which is known for the ritual of sacrificing animals and birds, such as buffaloes, goats, pigeons and ducks also holds this ritual during this time of the year.
BAGALA TEMPLE
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhubaneswari or Bhuvaneswari. According to Hindu Mythology, Goddess Bhuvaneswari is the fourth of the ten Mahavidya goddesses and an aspect of Devi. She is the queen or the feminine ruler of the universe. The entire Universe is said to be her body and all beings are her ornaments.
It offers tranquil surroundings for the devotees and tourists to enjoy. Many tourists prefer to trek upwards to the temple from Kamakhya which is one kilometer away. One will also get a panoramic view of the city and the Brahmaputra River from the Bhuvaneswari Temple. The temple also attracts a large number of devotees and tourists from around the world during Ambubachi and Manasha Puja.
TIMINGS OF KAMAKHYA TEMPLE
Timings:
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Entry Fee:
Entry to the temple campus is free of cost.
Entry to the main temple is Free in General Line
₹50/- for Defense Personnel in the Defence Line
₹500/- for VIP Passes
