Guwahati: First day of New Year 2024, devotees throng Kamakhya Temple

On the first day of the new year, devotees thronged to the sacred grounds of Maa Kamakhya Temple, perched atop the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam. 

This ancient temple, a centre of Tantric practices and Shakti worship, resonates with the chants and prayers of pilgrims seeking blessings for the year ahead.

A devotee at Guwahati’s Maa Kamakhya Temple says, “Today being the first day of 2024, I have come to worship Maa Kamakhya.”

Maa Kamakhya Temple, one of the oldest among the 51 Shakti Pithas, is revered for its powerful embodiment of the Divine Feminine. According to legend, it marks the spot where the womb and vagina of Goddess Sati fell, making it a symbol of fertility and womanhood. The temple’s unique aspect lies in its worship of the ‘yoni,’ an aniconic representation set in natural stone, which draws not only Hindus but also tantric worshippers from various communities.

The temple complex houses ten individual temples dedicated to the ten Mahavidyas of Saktism, including Kali, Tara, and Tripura Sundari, each representing different facets of the supreme Goddess Shakti. 

Devotees offer their reverence through various rituals such as Ashtottara Archana, offering 108 names to the goddess, and Rudrabhishek, a ritual dedicated to Lord Shiva believed to bring prosperity and spiritual awakening.

As the sun rises on this auspicious day, the temple’s historical significance as a site of convergence for Aryan and non-Aryan faiths is evident in the diverse crowd of worshippers. The temple’s past, dating back to the Mleccha dynasty and later patronage by the Palas, Koch, and Ahoms, reflects the fusion of different cultural beliefs and practices.

For those visiting the temple, it is recommended to arrive early to partake in the offerings and rituals. The temple’s administration, now overseen by the Bordeuri Samaj as per a Supreme Court ruling in 2015, ensures that the traditions and practices continue with reverence and respect.

As the new year dawns, the Kamakhya Temple stands as a beacon of spiritual power, celebrating the essence of creation and the divine feminine, welcoming all who seek the blessings of Maa Kamakhya.