Powerful Shrines of Shakti (Mother) Worship & Tantra :

» What is the significance of the Shakti Mother ?
» What is the significance of Yoni ?
» What are the important events attached to the Goddess ?
» What are the other places of interest ?

What is the significance of the Shakti Mother ?
God in Hindu Though worshipped all over India with great reverence, Mother Goddess or Shakti is prayed to with great fervour in Eastern India. One of the most revered and powerful temples of Mother Goddess is the temple of Kamakhya. It is the strongest of all Shakti Peethas (Centres of Shakti Worship) and this temple is unique among all other temples of Devi (Mother Goddess), for it enshrines no image of the goddess. There is a cave within the temple, in a corner of which stands a block of stone on which the symbol of a "Yoni" (female genital organ) is printed. The yoni is naturally kept moist from the oozings of a natural spring within the cave. Devotees touch it and offerings of flowers and leaves are made on it.

What is the significance of Yoni ?
The Yoni has a creative symbolism and is revered as the symbol of fertility, from where all has emerged and brought to life. This temple also came to be associated with Tantric Worship. Tantra in it’s pure vedic or satvik form (Dakshinacharya) was practiced here but later it got debased due to the mixing of the influences of animistic tribes, which inhabited this region. A new & debased form (Vamacharya) or the tamasik form came into being and is practiced at the Devi Temple of Ugratara, which is situated about 10 miles from here. The Buddhists also revere Ugratara, as they too practice tantra.

What are the important events attached to the Goddess ?
Once in a year, the Goddess at Kamakhya, here symbolized in the form of a "Yoni," has her menses. It lasts for three days and during this period the temple doors are closed. However on the fourth day, the doors are opened and pilgrims are allowed inside the temple. It is said that the water from the spring, which keeps the Yoni moist, turns pale red in colour. There appear few dark drops of blood, which are immediately absorbed into pieces of cloth, placed by the head priest and these become prized possessions, as they are said to have great powers. Another festival celebrated here is Devadhwani Festival, during which tremendous sound produced by many drums & the ritual worship, render a real powerful experience. One can see many yogis & Shakts (Worshippers of Shakti) at this shrine.

What are the other places of interest ?
Other places of immense interest in this area: Vasisthashram (Ashram of the legendary Rishi Vasishtha), Asvakranta, temple of Navagrahas, etc.