KarmaVaani
Shakta tradition
कामाख्याKamakhya
Kameshvari · Kamarupa
The goddess of the Nilachal hill in Assam, at the oldest of the Shakti Pithas.
- Abode
- Nilachal hill, Guwahati
- Consort
- Shiva
- Vahana
- None
- Colour
- Red
- Arms
- 6
Kamakhya is the goddess of desire and creation worshipped on the Nilachal hill above Guwahati. Her shrine has no image: she is worshipped as a natural stone cleft kept moist by a spring, the place where the goddess Sati's womb is said to have fallen. Once a year, at Ambubachi, the temple closes for three days for her rest.
Mantra
ॐ कामाख्यायै नमः
Om Kamakhyayai Namaha
Salutations to Kamakhya.
How Kamakhya is shown
In the shrine, a stone yoni beneath a spring; in paintings a sixteen-year-old goddess seated on a lotus.
- The yoni stone
- Creation and the power that gives birth to all.
- Red cloth
- Fertility and life.
Stories
The fall of Sati
When Sati gave up her life at her father Daksha's sacrifice, Shiva carried her body across the world in grief. Vishnu's discus divided it, and where each part fell a Shakti Pitha arose. Kamakhya is where her womb came to rest.
