Tucked away in the serene Nilachal Hills of Assam’s capital, Guwahati, lies one of the most enigmatic and powerful Shakti Peethas in the world — the Kamakhya Temple. What sets this temple apart is not just its spiritual significance, but a unique and sacred phenomenon: it is believed to be the only temple in the world where the presiding goddess undergoes a menstrual cycle.
A Temple Rooted in Shakti Worship
Dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, an incarnation of Shakti or the divine feminine energy, the temple holds immense significance for devotees of Tantra and Shaktism. Kamakhya is revered as the goddess of fertility and desire, and the temple is considered one of the 51 Shakti Peethas — sacred sites where parts of the goddess Sati’s body are said to have fallen.
According to history, Sati’s womb and genitalia (yoni) fell at the site where Kamakhya Temple stands today. As a result, the temple celebrates the creative power of menstruation — a natural and vital aspect of the female body, often stigmatized in many cultures.
Ambubachi Mela: Celebrating the Divine Menstruation
Every year in June, during the monsoon season, the Kamakhya Temple closes its doors for three days. This is because the goddess is believed to undergo her annual menstrual cycle during this period. The event is called the Ambubachi Mela, a festival unlike any other in the world.
During these three days:
- The temple remains closed to devotees.
- Rituals and pujas are suspended.
- Farmers in the region abstain from sowing seeds, respecting the earth’s fertility in harmony with the goddess’s cycle.
On the fourth day, the temple reopens with elaborate celebrations. Devotees from across India and the world flock to witness this powerful symbol of life and regeneration. ‘Prasad’ in the form of red cloth — believed to be stained with the goddess’s menstrual fluid — is distributed, symbolizing divine blessings of fertility and purification.
Symbolism and Social Impact
The belief that a goddess menstruates offers a profound counter-narrative to societal taboos surrounding menstruation. At Kamakhya, menstruation is not hidden or shamed — it is celebrated, honored, and worshipped. This symbolism serves as a powerful reminder of the sacredness of the female body and the life-giving force it embodies.
Despite this, challenges remain. While the temple celebrates menstruation at a divine level, social stigma around menstruation still persists in many parts of India. Kamakhya stands as a hopeful beacon, showing that ancient traditions can honor what modern taboos often hide.
The Kamakhya Temple is more than just a religious site — it is a symbol of empowerment, fertility, and reverence for womanhood. As the only temple in the world where the goddess menstruates, it challenges societal norms and uplifts the sacred feminine in a way few other places do. In a world that often suppresses natural processes, Kamakhya reminds us that the cycle of life, in all its forms, is worthy of reverence.
(This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.)
