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Assam Kamakhya Temple Guwahati
Kamakhya Temple is an ancient temple located about 800 feet above the sea level at the top of the Nilachal Hill. The main temple is dedicated to Kamakhya, a tantric goddess believed to be evolved in the Himalayan hills and also closely identified with Kali and Maha Tripura Sundari. Apart from the main temple, there are individual temples dedicated to the ten Mahavidyas.
History
It is believed that the temple was initially built during the first millennium roughly around the time of Kamarupa as suggested by rock inscriptions of Samudragupta. However, the temple was destroyed later during the 2nd millennium and Chilarai of Koch reconstructed it in 1565 following the style of medieval temples.
How to Reach
By Air
The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is a mere 20 km away from the Kamakhya Temple and cabs can be hired from the airport to reach the temple.
By Rail
The closest railway station, Kamakhya Railway, is just 6kms away from the temple and cabs and buses are frequent towards the temple.
By Road
The temple lays on Kamakhya Mandir Road which is well connected to Guhwati through frequent buses and cabs.
Improtant Shrines
The most significant part of the temple is the inner sanctorum or otherwise known as the garbhagriha which is a small & dark cave below ground level that can only be reached by steep stone steps. The pond water is said to turn red at a particular time of the year when it is believed to be the mensuration of mother goddess.
Significance of The Temple
Legend has it that a King of a province in the Himalayan region, now Nepal, approached Sage Vatasayana in Varanasi during 1st century to convert the tribal rituals into accepted form of worship and Vatsayana suggested the worship of Tantric goddess ‘Kameke’. KalikaPurana says that the spot where Kamakhya Temple lies denotes the place Sati and Shiva used to spend time together.
Weather and Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Kamakhya temple would be at the time of the greatest festival of the temple, Ambubaci. It is the largest mela at Kamakhya and falls during the month of June or July according to the tithi of Hindu calendar. This is the best time to visit the temple.
Accomodation
- HOTEL RIALTO is a Grade A hotel with excellent lodging facilities that is very nearby to the Kamakhya temple.
- Brahmaputra Jungle Resort is another option where a bamboo Cottage can be rented at a very low rate.
- The locals of the temple arrange for food and accommodation at the temple complex itself at a very nominal cost.
Tips For Devotees
Ambubachi Mela is one of the most important festivals in this temple and it is usually crowded during this time of the year.
Rules and Ritulas of The Temple
During the time of the AmbubachiMela, the temple remains closed for three days for it is believed that the mother earth remains unclean during that time. Some restrictions like not cooking, not performing puja are followed by the devotees during that time.
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