Kamakhya Devi: The Temple that Honours Women & Menstruation
When discussing mysteries, the Kamakhya Devi Temple must be mentioned. This Guwahati temple is devoted to the Goddess Shakti and honours women and menstruation. Every year during the monsoons, the Goddess at this temple has been said to bleed. The temple is closed throughout June because the Goddess bleeds and turns the underground water reservoir blood red. The followers worship a stone-shaped vagina rather than an idol at the temple. The idea behind the blood, how the stone-shaped vagina bleeds, and where the blood comes from are all mysteries to this day.
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The tantric goddesses are honoured in the Kamakhya temple. There is no statue, idol, or image of Devi in the temple, but there is a sculptured figure of the goddess's yoni or Vagina in the temple's corner, which is the focus of reverence and worship.
The origins of the Kamakhya temple are highly intriguing. It is one of the 108 Shakti peeths in India.
Sati once argued with her husband Shiva to attend her father's grand yagna, according to the narrative of the Shakti peeths. Despite Lord Shiva's dismay, she went to her father Daksha's universal 'yajna.' Daksha insulted Shiva since he was not invited. Unable to handle her husband's insult, Sati committed suicide.
Shiva went wild with fury after learning that his wife had committed suicide. He carried Sati's dead body on his shoulders and performed the tandava. Vishnu used his chakra to slash the dead body to calm him down. Shakti peeths are the 108 locations where Sati's bodily parts fell. The Kamakhya temple is where Sati's womb and vagina fell.
Although nothing is known about the temple's early history, the first mention of it can be found in Emperor Samudragupta's Allahabad inscriptions. The main temple features seven oval spires, each with three golden pitchers on it.
Pilgrims must line up at the entry porch before proceeding carefully inside the semi-dark sanctum sanctorum. The walls are sculpted with representations of Hindu gods and goddesses. The Goddess, together with other deities, is seated on a throne. Pilgrims approach the sanctum sanctorum through the tiny lane behind the throne. A short flight of stairs inside leads to a little underground pool.
Pilgrims squat along the water's edge to worship. They can see the symbolic organ from here, which is still covered with crimson cloth. The bleeding deity, Kamakhya Devi, is well-known. Shakti's mythological womb and vagina are said to be placed in the temple's 'Garvagriha,' or shrine.
The origins of the Kamakhya temple are highly intriguing. It is one of the 108 Shakti peeths in India; Image Source: Wikimedia
The goddess menstruates in the month of Ashaad (June). The Brahmaputra river at Kamakhya turns crimson at this time of year. The temple is then shuttered for three days as holy water is supplied to Kamakhya Devi worshipers. There is no scientific proof yet regarding blood being the reason for turning the water red. Some claim that the priests add vermilion to the waters. However, menstruation is a sign of a woman's inventiveness and ability to give birth. As a result, the Kamakhya goddess and temple honour the 'shakti' or strength that exists inside every woman.
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Facebook & Instagram: This Guwahati temple is devoted to the Goddess Shakti and honours women and menstruation. Every year during the monsoons, the Goddess at this temple has been said to bleed. The temple is closed throughout June because the Goddess bleeds and turns the underground water reservoir blood red.
Twitter: When discussing mysteries, the Kamakhya Devi Temple must be mentioned. The idea behind the blood, how the stone-shaped vagina bleeds, and where the blood comes from are all mysteries to this day.
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