Decoding Myths Through Archetypal Amplification
INTRODUCTION
The shrine of the Goddess Kamakhya is situated on the top of the hill called Nilachala on the southern bank of the mighty river Brahmaputra, at a distance of 6 km from the heart of the city of Guwahati. The Goddess in the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine is in laconic form and not an anthropomorphic one. In other words, there is no icon of the Goddess and thus it is unique in its own standing. Perhaps except the temple of Sambaleswari at Sambalpur in Orissa, there is no temple in India without an image of the presiding deity. She is an important Tantric mother goddess closely identified with Kali and Maha Tripura Sundari, according to the Tantric texts (Kalikapurana Stotra, Yoginitantram) that are the basis for her worship at the Kamakhya temple. 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").The temple is primary amongst the 51 Shakti Peethas related to the myth of Sati, and remains one of the most important Shakti temples and Hindu pilgrimage sites in the world.
The exact date of the original temple is not known. It is believed that, the temple is an ancient temple. The Temple was rebuilt in 1665, after being destroyed by Muslim invaders. It was probably an ancient Khasi sacrificial site, sacrifices are still very much part of worship here. Group of devotees arrive each morning with goats to offer to Shakti.
CULTURAL BACKGROUND
There are several myths or legends associated with kamkhya devi temple.
There is a legend attached to the history of the temple, which goes way back to the mythological age. According to the legend, Sati the wife of Lord Shiva (one of the holy Trinities in Hindu mythology) took her life at a `Yagna` ceremony that had been organized by her father Daksha, because she could not bear the
The shrine of the Goddess Kamakhya is situated on the top of the hill called Nilachala on the southern bank of the mighty river Brahmaputra, at a distance of 6 km from the heart of the city of Guwahati. The Goddess in the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine is in laconic form and not an anthropomorphic one. In other words, there is no icon of the Goddess and thus it is unique in its own standing. Perhaps except the temple of Sambaleswari at Sambalpur in Orissa, there is no temple in India without an image of the presiding deity. She is an important Tantric mother goddess closely identified with Kali and Maha Tripura Sundari, according to the Tantric texts (Kalikapurana Stotra, Yoginitantram) that are the basis for her worship at the Kamakhya temple. 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").The temple is primary amongst the 51 Shakti Peethas related to the myth of Sati, and remains one of the most important Shakti temples and Hindu pilgrimage sites in the world.
The exact date of the original temple is not known. It is believed that, the temple is an ancient temple. The Temple was rebuilt in 1665, after being destroyed by Muslim invaders. It was probably an ancient Khasi sacrificial site, sacrifices are still very much part of worship here. Group of devotees arrive each morning with goats to offer to Shakti.
CULTURAL BACKGROUND
There are several myths or legends associated with kamkhya devi temple.
There is a legend attached to the history of the temple, which goes way back to the mythological age. According to the legend, Sati the wife of Lord Shiva (one of the holy Trinities in Hindu mythology) took her life at a `Yagna` ceremony that had been organized by her father Daksha, because she could not bear the