Kamakhya - Revision history

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	'''Kamakhya''', a form of [[Parvati]],<ref>"Kamakhya was a new goddess unknown to the Devi herself" {{harvcol\|Kakati\|1989\|p=38}}</ref> is an important [[Shakta]] [[Tantra\|Tantric]] [[mother goddess]] of desire that evolved in [[Kamarupa]] in [[Assam]].<ref name="urban256">"Seated on top of Nīlacala hill on the banks of the Brahmaputra river in the state of Assam, Northeast India, Kamakhya temple is one of the oldest and most revered centres of Tantric practice in South Asia. Since at least the eighth century, the region of Kamarupa (the ‘place’ or ‘form of desire’, or Assam) has been recognised as one of the most important of the sakta pīthas (‘seats of power’) or centres of goddess worship that dot the sacred landscape of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh." {{harvcol\|Urban\|2019\|p=256}}</ref><ref>"The Nilacala (blue hill) in Assam, the sacred abodeof the well-known goddess Kamakhya has been one of the most significant Sakta-Tantric centres from the early medieval period and attracts millions of devotees from the neighboring states even today." {{harvtxt\|Shin\|2010\|p=3}}</ref> Originally a [[Kirata]] goddess Kamakhya remained outside Brahmanical influence till at least the 7th century.<ref>{{harvtxt\|Shin\|2010\|p=7}}</ref> She resides at Nilachal hills west of [[Guwahati]] in the 10th/11th century [[Kamakhya Temple]] rebuilt in 1565 CE<ref>"(T)he Nilacala Hill, the sacred abode of the goddess Kamakhya as well as the ten Mahavidyas in Guwahati, Assam." {{harvcol\|Shin\|2018\|p=87}}</ref> and worshiped in non-iconic and un-anthropomorphic form of a stone shaped like a [[yoni]] and fed by a perennial stream.<ref>{{harvtxt\|Shin\|2010\|pp=~~4-7~~}}</ref> The temple is primary amongst the 51 [[Shakti Peethas]] related to the sect that follows [[Dakshayani\|Sati]], and remains one of the most important [[Shakta]] temples.<ref name="urban256"/>Kamakhya temple is most powerful and oldest shaktipeeth in all 51 shaktipeeth.		'''Kamakhya''', a form of [[Parvati]],<ref>"Kamakhya was a new goddess unknown to the Devi herself" {{harvcol\|Kakati\|1989\|p=38}}</ref> is an important [[Shakta]] [[Tantra\|Tantric]] [[mother goddess]] of desire that evolved in [[Kamarupa]] in [[Assam]].<ref name="urban256">"Seated on top of Nīlacala hill on the banks of the Brahmaputra river in the state of Assam, Northeast India, Kamakhya temple is one of the oldest and most revered centres of Tantric practice in South Asia. Since at least the eighth century, the region of Kamarupa (the ‘place’ or ‘form of desire’, or Assam) has been recognised as one of the most important of the sakta pīthas (‘seats of power’) or centres of goddess worship that dot the sacred landscape of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh." {{harvcol\|Urban\|2019\|p=256}}</ref><ref>"The Nilacala (blue hill) in Assam, the sacred abodeof the well-known goddess Kamakhya has been one of the most significant Sakta-Tantric centres from the early medieval period and attracts millions of devotees from the neighboring states even today." {{harvtxt\|Shin\|2010\|p=3}}</ref> Originally a [[Kirata]] goddess Kamakhya remained outside Brahmanical influence till at least the 7th century.<ref>{{harvtxt\|Shin\|2010\|p=7}}</ref> She resides at Nilachal hills west of [[Guwahati]] in the 10th/11th century [[Kamakhya Temple]] rebuilt in 1565 CE<ref>"(T)he Nilacala Hill, the sacred abode of the goddess Kamakhya as well as the ten Mahavidyas in Guwahati, Assam." {{harvcol\|Shin\|2018\|p=87}}</ref> and worshiped in non-iconic and un-anthropomorphic form of a stone shaped like a [[yoni]] and fed by a perennial stream.<ref>{{harvtxt\|Shin\|2010\|pp=4–7}}</ref> The temple is primary amongst the 51 [[Shakti Peethas]] related to the sect that follows [[Dakshayani\|Sati]], and remains one of the most important [[Shakta]] temples.<ref name="urban256"/> Kamakhya temple is most powerful and oldest shaktipeeth in all 51 shaktipeeth.

	== Origins ==		== Origins ==
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	Everything happened because of the maya made by the Goddess Kamakhya.<ref>Ayilam Subrahmaṇya Pañcāpageśa Ayyar (1957), ''Sri Krishna: The Darling of Humanity'', p.42</ref>		Everything happened because of the maya made by the Goddess Kamakhya.<ref>Ayilam Subrahmaṇya Pañcāpageśa Ayyar (1957), ''Sri Krishna: The Darling of Humanity'', p.42</ref>

	Before Narakasura's death, he requested a boon from his mother, Satyabhama, that everyone should celebrate his death with colorful light. Thus this day is celebrated as '[[Naraka Chaturdashi]]' - the day before [[Diwali]]. That shows us how noble and ever-forgiving Lord Krishna is! Krishna's and Satyabhama's victory on Narakasura translated into freedom gained from sexual slavery under the demon king Narakasura for all the women he captured and Aditi obtaining her respect. Krishna accepted them as his wives upon their insistence to save themselves from the society who saw them as slaves of the demon king [[Narakasura]].The chief amongst them is sometimes called [[Rohini (Krishna's wife)\|Rohini]]. When Krishna slew Narakasura, he accepted all the captive women upon their insistence to safeguard their dignity. After marriage, they all lived in Dwarka..<ref>[[Junior wives of Krishna]]</ref>		Before Narakasura's death, he requested a boon from his mother, Satyabhama, that everyone should celebrate his death with colorful light. Thus this day is celebrated as '[[Naraka Chaturdashi]]' - the day before [[Diwali]]. That shows us how noble and ever-forgiving Lord Krishna is! Krishna's and Satyabhama's victory on Narakasura translated into freedom gained from sexual slavery under the demon king Narakasura for all the women he captured and Aditi obtaining her respect. Krishna accepted them as his wives upon their insistence to save themselves from the society who saw them as slaves of the demon king [[Narakasura]].The chief amongst them is sometimes called [[Rohini (Krishna's wife)\|Rohini]]. When Krishna slew Narakasura, he accepted all the captive women upon their insistence to safeguard their dignity. After marriage, they all lived in Dwarka.<ref>[[Junior wives of Krishna]]</ref>

	== Iconography ==		== Iconography ==

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	[[Category:Forms of Parvati]]		[[Category:Forms of Parvati]]
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			[[Category:Hindu temples in Assam]]

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{{About||the temple|Kamakhya temple}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Kamakshya Shakespeare Sarani Arnab Dutta 2011.jpg
| caption =
| name = Kamakhya
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Kāmākhyā
| affiliation = [[Devi]], [[Parvati]], [[Sati (goddess)|Sati]], [[Mahakali]], [[Shakti]]
| god_of = Goddess of Creative Power, Desire and Fertility
| abode = Neelachal parvat
| mantra = kāmākhye varade devī nīla parvata vāsinī tvaṁ devī jagataṁ mātā yonimudre namostute
| weapon = sword, trident, discus, shield, bow, arrows, club, lotus, bell, goad, kapala, conch
| consort =[[Shiva]]
| mount = Lion
}}

'''Kamakhya''' is an important Hindu [[Tantra|Tantric]] goddess of desire that evolved in [[Kamarupa]] in [[Assam]].<ref name="urban256">"Seated on top of Nīlacala hill on the banks of the Brahmaputra river in the state of Assam, Northeast India, Kamakhya temple is one of the oldest and most revered centres of Tantric practice in South Asia. Since at least the eighth century, the region of Kamarupa (the ‘place’ or ‘form of desire’, or Assam) has been recognised as one of the most important of the sakta pīthas (‘seats of power’) or centres of goddess worship that dot the sacred landscape of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh." {{harvcol|Urban|2019|p=256}}</ref> She is worshiped as Siddha Kubjika, and is also identified as [[Kali]] and Maha [[Tripura Sundari]]. According to the Tantric texts (''[[Kalika Purana]]'', ''[[Yogini Tantra]]'') that are the basis for her worship at the [[Kamakhya temple]], a temple in the [[Kamrup Rural district|Kamrup]] district of [[Assam]]. The earlier manifest of the goddess sanctified at the [[Garo hills]] is destroyed, although the [[Vatsayana]] priests are said to have carried away the manifest of the goddess to the Hindu kingdom in [[Kashmir]] and later sanctified in a remote hill forest in [[Himachal Pradesh]].{{cn|date=March 2021}} She resides at the presently 10th/11th century [[Kamakhya Temple]] rebuilt in 1565 CE. The temple is primary amongst the 51 [[Shakti Peethas]] related to the sect that follows [[Dakshayani|Sati]], and remains one of the most important [[Shakta]] temples.<ref name="urban256"/>

== Origins ==
===Historical===
This historical origin of the [[Kamakhya Temple]], to which the goddess Kamakhya is associated is not certain. The earliest stratum appears to be from the seventh century, and the evidence of a temple complex is dated to 10th/11th century. The Kalika Purana, dated similarly, gives an extensive description of the goddess, Assam and the temple.<ref>"It is difficult to date the historical origins of Kamakhya temple due to the many layers of sculptural fragments that currently lie scattered all over Nīlacala hill. The oldest stratum appears to date to at least the seventh century, and the numerous sculptural pieces found around the complex suggest that there was a major temple complex
there during the Pala dynasty (tenth–eleventh centuries, the Assamese counterpart to the Pala empire of Bengal). The most important text composed in Assam, the Kalika Purana, also dates to the Pala era and contains extensive descriptions of Kamakhya, the region of Assam, and the yoni pītha." {{harvcol|Urban|2019|p=261}}</ref>

===Mythical===
The origin of worship 'Shakti' at the site is associated with the legend of [[Dakshayani|Sati]], who was the wife of the ascetic god [[Shiva]] and daughter of the [[Purana|Puranic]] god-king [[Daksha]]. Daksha was unhappy with his daughter's choice of husband, and when he performed a grand [[Yajna]] for all the deities, he did not invite [[Shiva]] or [[Dakshayani|Sati]]. In a rage, Sati threw herself onto the fire, knowing that this would make the sacrifice impure. Because she was the all-powerful mother goddess, Sati left her body in that moment to be reborn as the goddess [[Parvati]]. Meanwhile, [[Shiva]] was stricken with grief and rage at the loss of his wife. He put Sati's body over his shoulder and began his ''[[tandava]]'' (dance of cosmic destruction) throughout the heavens, and vowed not to stop until the body was completely rotted away. The other Gods, afraid of their annihilation, implored [[Vishnu]] to pacify Shiva. Thus, wherever Shiva wandered while dancing, Vishnu followed. He sent his discus Sudarshana to destroy the corpse of Sati. Pieces of her body fell until Shiva was left without a body to carry. Seeing this, Shiva sat down to do ''Mahatapasya'' (great penance). Despite the similarity in name, scholars do not generally believe that this legend gave rise to the practice of sati or the voluntary giving of the wife's body on the pyre of her husband .<ref>J.S. Hawley, ''Sati, the Blessing and the Curse.'' Oxford University Press (New York: 1994). p. 50-1.</ref>

According to various myths and traditions, there are 51 pieces of Sati's body scattered across the Indian subcontinent. These places are called shakti peethas and are dedicated to various powerful goddesses. [[Kamarupa]] ("form of desire") is the region in which the ''yoni'' ("vulva," "womb," or "source") is said to have fallen to earth, and the Kamakhya temple was said to have been constructed on this spot.

== Identity ==

Kamakhya is mentioned in the ''[[Kalika Purana]]'' as the most important goddess of Tantric worship, and is referred to in the text as ''Mahamaya'', the "great goddess of illusion", who takes on many forms depending on her mood. Devotees also call her Kameshwari ("beloved goddess of desire"), and consider her a form of Maha [[Tripura Sundari]], also called Shodashi. She is identified with Kali in the ''Kalika Purana'', ''Yoginitantra'' and ''Kamakhya Tantra'', each of which echoes this verse:<ref>B. Shastri. ''Kamakhya Tantra.'' Bharatiy Vidya Prakash (Delhi, Varanasi: 1990). p. 20. <br />
yā devi kālikā mātā sarva vidyāsvarūpinī |<br />
kāmākhyā saiva vikhyātā satyam devi nacānyathā ||</ref>
<blockquote>
"It is certainly well known that Kamakhya is truly none other than that mother goddess Kali, who is in all things the form of wisdom."
</blockquote>

Kamakhya is associated with the Dasa [[Mahavidyas]], who each have temples dedicated to them at the Kamakhya temple complex in Assam. She is also closely associated with [[Durga]].

'''Four Adi Shakti Peethas'''

The great mythological texts including the Kalika Purana (the Asthashakti) and various Tantras recognize the four major Shakti Peethas as Adi Shakti Peethas. Like ([[Bimala]], Pada Khanda) inside the Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha, ([[Tara Tarini]]) Sthana Khanda (Breasts), near Brahmapur, Odisha, (Kamakhya, Yoni khanda) in Guwahati, Assam and ([[Dakhina Kalika]], Mukha khanda) in Kolkata, West Bengal originated from the limbs of the Corpse of Mata Sati. In a hymn, the Kalika Purana (Asthashakti) clearly says:

“Vimala Pada khandancha,

Stana khandancha Tarini (Tara Tarini),

Kamakhya Yoni khandancha,

Mukha khandancha Kalika (Kali)

Anga pratyanga sangena

Vishnu Chakra Kshate nacha……”

'''Peetha Body Part Place

Vimala Pada khanda Puri, Odisha

Tara Tarini Stana khanda Brahmapur, Odisha

Kamakhya Yoni khanda Guwahati, Assam

Dakshina Kalika Mukha khanda Kolkata, West Bengal
'''

Mantras for general worship of the Mahavidyas at the Kamakhya temple complex reveal a close identity with Kamakhya herself. Several of these goddesses are worshipped as forms of Kamakhya explicitly.<ref>''Viswa Shanti Devi Yajna.'' Viswa Shanti Devi Yajna Committee. Mandala Communications (Guwahati: 2004). pp. 22-8.</ref>
Devi Kamakhya's ''Ashtashaktis'' or eight incarnations are Guptakama, Srikama, Vindhyavasini, Kotishvari, Vanadurga, Padadurga, Dirgheshvari and Bhuvaneshvari.

==Legend==
Once [[Narakasura]], motivated by his desire, wanted to marry Devi Kamakhya. When proposed, the Goddess playfully put a condition before him that if he would be able to build a staircase from the bottom of the Nilachal Hill to the temple within one night before the cock crows to indicate Dawn, then she would surely marry him.
Naraka took it as a challenge and tried all with his might to do this huge task. He was almost about to accomplish the job before it was dawn. When Kamakhya Devi got this news, she playfully strangled a cock and made it crow untimely to give the impression of Dawn to Naraka. Duped by the trick even Naraka thought that it was a futile job and left it halfway through. Now the place is known as Kukurakata situated in the district of Darrang. The incomplete staircase is known as Mekhelauja Path.<ref>Kāmarūpa Anusandhān Samiti (2007),''Journal of the Assam Research Society - Volume 38'',p.30</ref>

Drunk with power, as he knew himself to be unrivalled in prowess, he brought all the kingdoms on earth under his control. Next, he turned his eyes towards [[Svarga|Swargaloka]]. Even the mighty [[Indra]] could not withstand the assault of this son of [[Vishnu]] and had to flee the heavens.
Narakasura had become the overlord of both the heavens and earth. Addicted to power, he stole the earrings of [[Aditi]], the heavenly mother goddess, and usurped some of her territory, while also kidnapping [[Junior wives of Krishna|16000 women]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Swami|first=Parmeshwaranand|title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of the Puranas|year=2001|publisher=Sarup and Sons|location=New Delhi|isbn=8176252263|page=941}}</ref>

All the [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]], led by [[Indra]], went to Vishnu to ask him to deliver them from Narakasura. Vishnu promised them that he would attend to this matter, when he would be incarnated as [[Krishna]].<ref>B. K. Chaturvedi (2017), ''Vishnu Puran''</ref>

As promised to Mother Earth, Narakasura was allowed to enjoy a long reign. At last Vishnu was born as Krishna. Aditi, who was a relative of Krishna's wife [[Satyabhama]] (believed to be an Avatar of [[Bhudevi]] - Narakasura' mother), approached Satyabhama for help. When Satyabhama heard of the Narakasura's ill treatment of women and his behaviour with Aditi, she was enraged. Satyabhama approached Lord Krishna for permission to wage a war against Narakasura. As promised to the Devas and Aditi, Krishna attacked the great fortress of Narakasura, riding his mount [[Garuda]] with wife Satyabhama.
Lord Krishna used the Narayanastra and the Agneyastra against the army of Narakasura.
The battle was furiously fought. Narakasura possessed 11 [[Akshauhini]]s that he unleashed on Lord Krishna. However, the Lord slew them all with little effort. Lord Krishna also killed Mura, Narakasura's general. Thus Krishna is called 'Murāri' (the killer of Mura).<ref>Dianne M. MacMillan (2008), ''Diwali: Hindu Festival of Lights'', p.24</ref>

Narakasura used several divine weapons against Lord Krishna, but Krishna easily neutralised all those weapons. At last, when Narakasura tried to kill Lord Krishna with a trident, he saw Goddess Kamakhya standing beside Hari, and eventually Lord Krishna beheaded him with his Sudarshana Chakra (discus).
Everything happened because of the maya made by the Goddess Kamakhya.<ref>Ayilam Subrahmaṇya Pañcāpageśa Ayyar (1957), ''Sri Krishna: The Darling of Humanity'', p.42</ref>

Before Narakasura's death, he requested a boon from his mother, Satyabhama, that everyone should celebrate his death with colorful light. Thus this day is celebrated as '[[Naraka Chaturdashi]]' - the day before [[Diwali]]. Krishna's and Satyabhama's victory on Narakasura translated into freedom for all his prisoners and honoring of Aditi. Having rescued the 16,100 women, Krishna married them to restore them to their former dignity.<ref>Muriel Marion Underhill (1991), ''The Hindu Religious Year'', p.59</ref>

== Iconography ==

Kamakhya is pictured as a young goddess, 16 years old, with twelve arms and six heads of varying colors, representing a powerful goddess who is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. She is wearing opulent jewelry and red flowers such as hibiscus.

She holds in each of ten hands a lotus, trident, sword, bell, discus, bow, arrows, club or scepter, goad, and shield. Her remaining two hands hold a bowl, which is made either of gold or a skull.

She is seated upon a lotus, directly on top of Lord [[Shiva]], who in turn lies atop a lion.

To each side of her sit [[Brahma]] and [[Vishnu]], who are each seated upon a lotus, as well.

== See also ==
*[[Kamakhya Temple]]
*[[Ambubachi Mela]]
*[[Kamakshi]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite journal |last=Urban |first=Hugh |year=2019 |title=‘The Cradle of Tantra’: Modern Transformations of a Tantric Centre in Northeast India from Nationalist Symbol to Tourist Destination |journal=South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=256-277 |doi= 10.1080/00856401.2019.1570609}}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
*''Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions'' ({{ISBN|81-208-0379-5}}) by David Kinsley
*''Renowned Goddess of Desire: Women, Sex, and Speech in Tantra'' ({{ISBN|978-0195327830}}) by Loriliai Biernacki
*''The Power of Tantra: Religion, Sexuality and the Politics of South Asian Studies'' ({{ISBN|978-1845118747}}) by Hugh Urban
*''The Kalikapurana: Sanskrit Text, Introduction & Translation in English'' ({{ISBN|8170812305}}) by Biswanarayan Shastri

== External links ==
*[http://kamakhyamandir.org/featured/kamakhya/ Kamakhya: The Source and Fulfillment of Desire]
*[https://www.darshanbooking.com/pilgrimage-places/kamakhya-temple-darshan-booking-timings-tickets-offerings.html Kamakhya Temple: The Abode of Occultism]
*[https://templeknowledge.com/about-kamakhya-temple/ Kamakhya Devi temple: The Bleeding Goddess]

{{HinduMythology}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Mother goddesses]]
[[Category:Forms of Parvati]]
[[Category:Shaktism]]