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Kamrup Kamakhya - Kamagiri Shakti Peetha

• Overview:

Kamrup Kamakhya - Nilachala Parvata with river Brahmaputra near the foothills

Kamrup Kamakhya Temple (235 m) is situated on the Nilachala Parvata. River Brahmaputra flows near the foothills of the mountain. Kamrup is located in the Kamrup district of Assam.

Kamrup Kamakhya Temple is a famous place of Tantra practice and is identified with the Kamagiri Shakti Peetha mentioned in the Peetha Nirnaya Tantra. This kshetra is also known as Kubjika Peetha and Mahamudra Peetha. The place is known as Kamrup because Kamadeva who was reduced to ashes by Lord Shiva, again regained his form in this place by the grace of the Goddess (Kalika Purana). It is said that Devi is difficult to be found in other places, but in Kamarup, Devi abides in many houses (Yogini Tantra).

योनिपीठं कामगिरौ कामाख्या तत्र देवता । यत्रास्ते त्रिगुणातीता रक्तपाषाणरूपिणी ॥
यत्रास्ते माधवः साक्षादुमानन्दोऽथ भैरवः । सर्वदा विहरेद्देवी तत्र मुक्तिर्न संशयः ॥
- Shakti Peetha Stotram - verses 20 and 21 (Kamrup has the Kamagiri Shakti Peetha where the Yoni of Devi had fallen)

• Kamrup Kamakhya (Kamrup district, Assam) → (Shakti Peetha) [Kamagiri Shakti Peetha]

• Greatness:

• Kamrup Kamakhya has a Shakti Peetha (Seat of Shakti) [Kamagiri Shakti Peetha]

Kamrup - Devi Kamakhya Temple, Kamrup district, Assam

• Kamrup is primarily a Devi Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Devi):
- Devi abides in Kamrup as a Shakti Peetha (Seat of Shakti) [Kamagiri Shakti Peetha] (Devi Kamakhya).

- Kamrup Kamakhya is a powerful place of Tantra with Dasha Mahavidya Temples in it. The Mahavidys are:
(1) Kali (a little away from the main gate of Kamakhya Temple)
(2) Tara (very near the main gate of the Kamakhya Temple)
(3) Tripurasundari (within the Kamakhya Temple)
(4) Bhuvaneshwari (few km away from the Kamakhya Temple)
(5) Tripurabhairavi (near the back gate of the Kamakhya Temple)
(6) Chinnamasta (around half km away from the main gate of the Kamakhya Temple)
(7) Dhumavati (near the back gate of the Kamakhya Temple)
(8) Bagalamukhi (around a km away from the main gate of the Kamakhya Temple)
(9) Matangi (within the Kamakhya Temple)
(11) Kamalatmika (within the Kamakhya Temple)

• Sacred Geography:

☗ Nilachala Parvata
▬ River Brahmaputra flows
◼ Saubhagya Kunda (Inside Kamakhya Temple)
◼ Bhairavi Kunda (Inside Bhairavi Temple)
◼ Durga Kunda (Western side of Kamakhya Temple)

• Temples and Places:

• Temples and Places of Devi in Kamrup:

• Kamagiri Shakti Peetha: I meditate on the Kamagiri Shakti Peetha where the Yoni (Generative Organ) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Kamakhya and the Bhairava is called Umananda.
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 20)

► Kamrup - Devi Kamakhya Temple
(Kamrup district, Assam)

Devi Kamakhya Temple of Kamrup is identified with the Kamagiri Shakti Peetha mentioned in the Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- After the Yoni Mandala of Devi had fallen on the Nilachala Parvata, it turned into a stone. Devi Kamakhya abides in that stone (Kalika Purana).
- The great devas abide here in the form of Hills (Devi Bhagavatam).

Kamakhya Temple:
- Simha-Dwara: Pilgrims normally ascend the Nilachala Parvata from the eastern pathway built by Narakasura. There is a gate on the foothills known as Simha-Dwara. The path of ascent is full of scenic beauty which fills the heart with joy.
- Saubhagya Kunda: On the northern side of the Kamakhya Temple is the Krida-Pushkarini (Temple Tank for Play of Devi) of the Devi known as Saubhagya Kunda. Pilgrims visit this Saubhagya Kunda before entering the Temple of the Devi.
- Ganesha: On the bank of the Saubhagya Kunda is a shrine of Sri Ganesha which the pilgrims visit before entering the Temple of the Devi.
- Kamakhya Chalanta Murti (Haragauri Murti or Bhoga Murti): While entering the Temple of the Devi, the pilgrims have the darshan of the Chalanta Murti of the Devi, also known as Haragauri Murti or Bhoga Murti. In this Murti, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar forms the vahana of the Devi. Here Kameshwari Devi is with Kameshwar Shiva. After having the darshan of Kameshwar - Kameshwari, pilgrims visit the Yonimudra Peetha of the Devi.
- Yonimudra Peetha or Mahamudra: The Yonimudra Peetha of the Devi is inside a dark cave which the pilgrims visit by climbing down ten steps. The cave is illuminated only by an oil lamp. The Yoni Mandala of the Devi is in the form of a stone which is kept moist by natural underground water.
- Various Deities: There are Images of various Deities (engraved on wall or in shrines) outside the Temple of the Devi. They are Mangala Chandi, Annapoorna, Manasa Devi, Chamunda Devi, Batuka Bhairava, Nilakantha Mahadeva, Nandi, Bhringi, Narayana, Rama, Gopala, Kalki Avatara etc.
- Various Sages: There are also Images of various sages like Kapila Muni, Jaratkaru Muni etc.
- Various Kings: There are similarly Images of various kings like Yudhishthira, Dronacharya, king Naranarayana of Koch, kings of Ahom etc.

Nilachala Parvata:
The Devi Kamakhya Temple is located on the Nilachala Parvata. The devas abide in the Nilachala Parvata in the form of Hills. There are three peaks in this mountain range known as Brahma Parvata, Vishnu Parvata and Shiva Parvata. The Brahma Parvata is on the East (near the Bhuvaneshwari Peetha). The Shiva Parvata is in the Center (near the Kamakhya Devi Temple). The Vishnu Parvata or the Varaha Parvata is on the West. There is a Varaha Kunda near the Varaha Parvata. There are four pathways built by Narakasura to ascend the Hill. The four gateways are Vyaghra-dwara (South), Hanumanta-dwara (West), Swarga-dwara (North) and Simha-dwara (East). It is said that ascending the Hill from the East bestows wealth. Ascending the Hill from the North bestows Mukti. Ascending the Hill from the West bestows kingdom. However, ascending the Hill from the South leads to death. The regular path to ascend the Hill now is the Simha-dwara on the East.

• About Kamrup:
Kamrup kshetra is also known as Kubjika Peetha and Mahamudra Peetha. The place is known as Kamrup because Kama deva who was reduced to ashes by Lord Shiva, again regained his form in this place by the grace of the Goddess (Kalika Purana). It is said that Devi is difficult to be found in other places, but in Kamarup, Devi abides in many houses (Yogini Tantra).
- The ancient Kamrup is described as triangular in shape. On the west it extended from river Karatoya to Dikkarvasini (Devi). On the north was the Kanchagiri Hill. On the west was river Dikshu. On the south was the confluence of rivers Brahmaputra and Laksha. (Yogini Tantra)
- The ancient Kamrup was divided into four parts:
1. Kama-Peetha: This is the place of the temple of Devi Kamakhya.
2. Ratna-Peetha: This is the place of Jaleshwar Shiva.
3. Swarna-Peetha: This is the place of river Champavati.
4. Saumara-Peetha: This is the place of Devi Dikkarvasini.

• Devi Kamakhya and Kama deva:
Kama deva (and Rati) worshipped the Devi here (knowing about the Yoni mandala hidden in this place from Lord Shiva) and got back his form. Hence the place is known as Kamrup. Subsequently Kama deva built the temple of Devi in this place.

Events: After Devi Sati gave up her body in the yogic fire during Daksha Yagna, Lord Shiva became angry and destroyed the yagna through Veerabhadra. Thereafter Lord Shiva carried the body of Devi Sati and started a destructive dance. Fearing destruction, Lord Vishnu cut the body of Devi Sati with his Sudarshan Chakra into 51 pieces. A Shakti Peetha later emerged from wherever a body part of Devi had fallen. The Yoni Mandala of Devi fell on the Nilachala Parvata. Thereafter, Lord Shiva became dispassionate and entered into deep Yoga in the Himalayas. Meanwhile Tarakasura got a boon from Lord Brahma that nobody except the son of Shiva can kill him. Getting this power Tarakashura became arrogant and started tormenting the Devas and others. Also, the Devi now reincarnated as Devi Parvati in the house of Himalaya. On the advice of Devarshi Narada, Devi Parvati used to go to the place of meditation of Lord Shiva and worshipped him daily. However, Lord Shiva did not look at her. Thereafter Indra deva sent Kama deva to break the Dhyana (meditation) of Lord Shiva. Kama deva sent his arrows of flowers on Lord Shiva. The Dhyana of Lord Shiva broke for a moment and he in anger reduced Kama deva to ashes by the fire of his Third Eye. Devi Rati started lamenting. The Devas assured to help her. Lord Shiva left that place. Thereafter, Devi Parvati performed a severe penance and pleased Lord Shiva. The marriage of Shiva-Parvati took place after this. During the marriage, Devi Rati came and prayed for the life of her husband. Lord Shiva bestowed life to Kama deva but in a bodiless form. Kama deva and Devi Rati again prayed to Lord Shiva with various Sthutis. Lord Shiva became pleased and told Kama deva to go to Nilachala Parvata and pray to the Devi whose body part has fallen there. Kama deva and Devi Rati worshipped the Devi at Kamarup. Kama deva got back his earlier form by the grace of the Devi. Subsequently Kama deva built a temple of Devi there through Vishwakarma. This temple had the Images of 64 Yoginis and 18 Bhairavas.

• Devi Kamakhya and Narakasura:
Devi Kamakhya vanquished Narakasura here through Lord Vishnu. However, before that the Devi made him build four stairways on the four sides of the Hill and a resting place.

- Events: Narakasura was the son of Varaha Avatara and Bhoomi Devi. By the boon of Lord Vishnu he became very powerful. He ruled the kingdom of Pragjyotishpura. Lord Vishnu told him to worship only Devi Kamakhya and no other god, and respect the Brahmanas. Following the advice of his father, Narakasura became a devotee of Devi Kamakhya. As long as he worshipped Devi Kamakhya and displayed his good qualities, the prosperity of his kingdom kept on increasing (from Treta to Dwapara Yugas). However, towards the end of the Dwapara Yuga, Narakasura became the friend of Banasura, the king of Shonitpura (and the son of king Bali). Banasura through ill-advice instilled an egoistic pride in Narakasura, who then started tormenting the Devas and the Brahmanas. When the evil acts of Narakasura became unbearable, the Devas took refuge of Devi Kamakhya (on the advice of Lord Brahma). During this time Narakasura was also cursed by sage Vasishtha (that Devi will disappear) for not allowing him to have the darshan of Devi Kamakhya. Devi Kamakhya assumed the form of a beautiful woman and attracted Narakasura. Narakasura proposed to marry her. The Devi kept the condition that, on a single night he has to build four stairways on the four sides of the Hill and a resting place, else his end will come. Narakasura agreed to take up the challenge. On a single night he built the four stairways. When he was about to build the resting place the Devi created an illusory cock who crowed heralding the arrival of the dawn (and end of the night). Narakasura chased the illusory cock and killed it. After this, by the will of the Devi, Lord Vishnu killed Narakasura.
- Note: It is said that Narakasura built the four pathways which are now the Vyaghra-dwara (South), Hanumanta-dwara (West), Swarga-dwara (North) and Simha-dwara (East). The place where Narakasura killed the peacock is known as Kukura Kata Chaki. It is said that ascending the Hill from the East bestows wealth. Ascending the Hill from the North bestows Mukti. Ascending the Hill from the West bestows kingdom. However, ascending the Hill from the South leads to death.

• Devi Kamakhya and Vishwa Singha - Shiv Singha:
Devi Kamakhya in the form of an old woman revealed about the dilapidated temple (build by Kama deva) to king Vishwa Singha and his brother Shiv Singha. They excavated the place and discovered the Yoni Peetha and the dilapidated temple. They renovated the temple and arranged for the worship of the Devi.

Events: Probably due to the curse of sage Vasishtha to Narakasura (that the Devi will disappear), the temple structure built by Kama deva got hidden and the entire place became filled with forest. What remained was only a high mound which the local tribes worshipped as the sacred place of the Devi. There was also a stream of water. During this time king Vishwasingha and his brother Shivsingha came to this place losing their way, after becoming separated from their army. They were very thirsty and were searching for water. Unable to find water and very tired, they were about to go away when they saw an old woman worshipping the Devi on the mound. This old woman is said to be Devi Kamakhya herself in disguise. She showed them the water stream and told them the glory of the Devi. Being of devotional temperament, the king became attracted and asked the old lady about the various details of worship of the Devi. When the old lady said that the wishes of people get fulfilled here, the king prayed for reunion with his army. Miraculously the army came there and got united with the king. With strong faith on the Devi, the king vowed to build a temple of gold there. In due time the king came there and excavated the mound. He discovered the base structure of the temple of Kama deva and the Mahamudra Peetha. The king was filled with joy. He started building a temple with bricks. However, what was constructed during the day got destroyed at night. A divine girl came in the dream of the king and reminded him that he vowed to build a temple of gold, and was now building it with bricks. The king earnestly prayed and said that he does not have so much gold. The Devi told the king to add a rati of gold on each brick and build the temple. Following the advice of the Devi, king Vishwa Singha and Shiv Singha renovated the temple of the Devi. They brought learned Brahmanas and gave them land to settle in that place. Through the Brahmanas they arranged for the regular worship of the Devi.

• Devi Kamakhya and Naranarayan - Chilaraya:
After the passing away of king Vishwa Singha, his son Naranarayan (actual name Malladev) became the king. Naranarayan made his brother Chilaraya (actual name Shukladhwaja) the yuvaraja (crown prince) of the kingdom. During this time the Pathan army chief Kalapahar who destroyed many Hindu temples, came to Kamrup and partly destroyed the Kamakhya temple. Naranarayan and Chilaraya was out for battle during that time. When they returned and saw the temple ruins, they decided to go for another battle and then renovate the temple. However, since they ignored the Devi and went for the battle, Chilaraya was defeated for the first time and imprisoned by king Suleman. The Devi told him the reason in dream. Chilaraya became repentant and earnestly prayed to the Devi. The Devi told him that the following day the mother of king Suleman will be bitten by a snake and only he will be able to heal her. As shown by the Devi, things turned out the same way and Chilaraya and king Suleman became friends after this. Thereafter Naranarayan and Chilaraya returned to Kamrup and renovated the Kamakhya Temple.

• Devi Kamakhya and brahmin Kendukalai:
Among the many brahmins who worshipped Devi Kamakhya, there was a brahmin named Kendukalai who due to his high devotion to the Devi, became a Siddha purusha. He was also the priest of the temple. When he worshipped the Devi during the evening, the Devi in conscious form danced in the sanctum of the temple. Kendukalai used to have darshan of the Devi in this form. This news spread and one day the king came to Kamrup and earnestly requested Kendukalai to enable him to see the Devi during her dance. Kendukali warned the king but the king was adamant in his request. Finally, Kendukalai showed him a window opening from where to peep during the Sandhya Arati (evening worship). That day the king peeped through the window and saw the divine effulgence. However, the Devi became enraged due to this trick. She slapped Kendukalai on his head and turned him into a stone. She told the king to leave Nilachala immediately. She cursed him that no one from his dynasty should visit this Peetha, else their dynasty will be destroyed. From that time no one from the dynasty of the king visit the Kamakhya Temple, although they send donations.

• Devi Kamakhya and Ahom kings:
After the dynasty of king Naranarayan (Koch dynasty), the Ahom kings ruled the place for several centuries. Hence the place is known as "Assam". The Ahom kings renovated many temples including the Dasha Mahavidya temples around the Peetha.

Dasha Mahavidya Temples:

1. Devi Kali (Kali Mahavidya)
Near the Temple of Devi Kamakhya is the Temple of Devi Kali. This is known as Dirgheshwari Peetha.

2. Devi Ugratara (Tara Mahavidya)
Near the Temple of Devi Kamakhya is the Temple of Devi Ugratara.

3. Devi Kamakhya (Tripurasundari or Shodasi Mahavidya)
Devi Kamakhya is the form of Shodasi.

4. Devi Bhuvaneshwari (Bhuvaneshwari Mahavidya)
Devi Bhuvaneshwari Temple is on the highest peak of the Nilachala Parvata. This place is mentioned as Brahma Parvata in the Puranas.

5. Devi Bhairavi (Tripurabhairavi Mahavidya)
Near the southern side of Devi Kamakhya Temple is the Temple of Devi Bhairavi. There is a Bhairavi Kunda with lot of tortoises in it.

6. Devi Chinnamasta (Chinnamasta Mahavidya)
Near the southern side of Devi Kamakhya Temple is the Temple of Devi Chinnamasta, also known as Devi Gupta Durga.

7. Devi Dhumavati (Dhumavati Mahavidya)
Near the Temple of Devi Kamakhya is the Temple of Devi Dhumavati, also known as Kushmanda. This is known as Koteshwari Peetha.

8. Devi Bagala (Bagalamukhi Mahavidya)
Near the Temple of Devi Kamakhya is the Temple of Devi Bagala.

9. Devi Saraswati (Matangi Mahavidya)
On the eastern side of the Temple of Devi Kamakhya is the Temple of Devi Matangi.

10. Devi Lakshmi (Kamala Mahavidya)
On the eastern side of the Temple of Devi Kamakhya is the Temple of Devi Kamala.

• Temples and Places of Lord Shiva in Kamrup:

► Pancha Peethas of Mahadeva
1. Kameshwar (Vamadeva): On the eastern side of Devi Kamakhya Temple.
2. Siddheshwar (Ishana): On the eastern side of Devi Kamakhya Temple.
3. Kotilinga (Tatpurusha): Towards the north of Kameshwar Temple.
4. Aghora (Aghora): Within the Bhairavi Temple is the Heruka Bhairava.
5. Amratakeshwar (Sadyojata): On the western side of Devi Kamakhya Temple.

► Other Shrines of Shiva
1. Umananda (Bhairava of Devi Kamakhya)
2. Kedareshwarar

• Other Shrines in Kamrup:

► Other Shrines
- Kambaleshwar Vishnu: Near the Saubhagya Kunda
- Tripureshwar Bhairava
- Jaya Durga
- Lalita Kanta

• Temples (Summary):

Devi: Devi Kamakhya

Dasha Mahavidyas:
(1) Kali (a little away from the main gate of Kamakhya Temple)
(2) Tara (very near the main gate of the Kamakhya Temple)
(3) Tripurasundari (within the Kamakhya Temple)
(4) Bhuvaneshwari (few km away from the Kamakhya Temple)
(5) Tripurabhairavi (near the back gate of the Kamakhya Temple)
(6) Chinnamasta (around half km away from the main gate of the Kamakhya Temple)
(7) Dhumavati (near the back gate of the Kamakhya Temple)
(8) Bagalamukhi (around a km away from the main gate of the Kamakhya Temple)
(9) Matangi (within the Kamakhya Temple)
(11) Kamalatmika (within the Kamakhya Temple)

• Puranic Events:

1. Presence of Devi in Kamrup Kamakhya: (Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)
• Kamrup Kamakhya is identified with the Kamagiri Shakti Peetha. Where the Yoni (Generative Organ) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Kamakhya and the Bhairava is called Umananda.

• Puranic References:

• Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 20 (About Kamagiri Shakti Peetha)

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