Kamakhya Temple: The temple of mystery and trantra

Kamakhya Temple: The temple of mystery and trantra

Story of Devi Kamakhya. 

The story of Sati is well known among Shiva bhakts. Shiva's wife Sati killed herself unable to bear the insults hurled by her father at her beloved husband Shiva. Shiva lost his temper because of this an engaged in his cosmic dance Tandava while holding the dead corpse of his wife Sati.

The dance was so energetic that the body parts of Sati started falling off on the earth. Each body part became one of the 108 shaktipeethas. Sati's vagina fell in Assam. This place is known as Kamakhya temple. Every month for 3 days the temple is closed as the idol is supposed to be menstruating.

kamakhya-devi-temple

This is a great testament to Hindu religions amazing diversity and ability to accept almost every aspect of human life into sacredness.

It is likely that this is an ancient Khasi sacrificial site, and worshiping here still includes sacrifices. Devotees come every morning with goats to offer to Shakti. Devotees offer goats to the Godess every morning. The Yogini Tantra mentions that the religion of the Yogini Pitha is of Kirata origin. According to Banikanta Kakati, there existed a tradition among the priests established by Naranarayana that the Garos, a matrilineal people, offered worship at the earlier Kamakhya site by sacrificing pigs.

Being the centre for Tantra worship this temple attracts thousands of tantra devotees in an annual festival known as the Ambubachi Mela. Another annual celebration is the Manasha Puja. Durga Puja is also celebrated annually at Kamakhya during Navaratri in the autumn. This five-day festival attracts several thousand visitors. [source]

This temple has a special place among the Tantric sadhakas. Kamakhyatantra is a trantra in itself.

In Hindu shakta tradition, there are Dasha-mahavidyas meaning 10 great wisdoms. Each is represented as a form of Devi and Kamakhya is one of them. Kamakhya is closely identified with Shodashi (She Who is Sixteen)/Maha Tripura Sundari (Great Beautiful One of the Three Cities/Qualities), and is also closely identified with Kali in the Kalika Purana, Yogini Tantra, and Kamakhya Tantra.