Kamakhya
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Kamaakhya is an aspect of the Hindu goddess Sati. A temple in her honour exists in the Kamrup district of Assam state, India. The temple is one of the 51 holy Shakti Peethas related to Sati.
According to legend, the goddess Sati burned herself of the sacrificial fire at her father Dakshya's abode because her father was scornful of her husband the God Shiva. (This incident gave rise to the custom of sati in India). In a rage, Shiva began his Dance of Death (tandava) to bring the destruction of the Universe. The other gods, afraid of their annihilation, pleaded to Vishnu to protect them from Shiva. Thus, wherever Shiva wandered while dancing, Vishnu followed. He dared not come close to the terrible Shiva, so he started hacking with his sword the corpse of Sati. Slowly, pieces of flesh fell off until Shiva was left without a body to hold. Seeing this, Shiva sat down to Mahatapasya (great penance). Eons later, when his hair had grown tangled, the river Ganges emerged from his hair.
There are supposedly 51 pieces of Sati scattered across the Indian subcontinent. Her yoni (vagina) is said to have fallen on the spot where the Kamakhya temple stands today.
Kamakhya, the Goddess/yoni, exists in the main shrine as a large cleft in the bedrock, covered by water flowing upward from an underground spring, generally covered by a red cloth, flowers, and red sindur powder. Kamakhya is an important Shakta pilgrimage site, attracting many visitors.
Further reading
- Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions (ISBN 8120803795) by David Kinsley
- redirect
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