- By Kashish Rai
- Fri, 20 Jun 2025 12:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Kamakhya Devi Facts: Goddess Kamakhya, a powerful Shakta Tantric deity, is revered at the Kamakhya Temple in Assam. This ancient goddess is worshipped in a unique, non-iconic form - a yoni or vagina-shaped stone fed by a natural spring. The temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, sacred sites dedicated to the goddess Sati. During the monsoon month of Ashad, the temple celebrates the goddess's menstrual cycle, with the Brahmaputra River believed to turn red. The temple honours this divine shakti, celebrating the sacred feminine energy within every woman. The menstruating period of Goddess Kamakhya is celebrated as Ambubachi Mela, which is scheduled to begin from 22nd June 2025 this year.
As the sacred and divine menstruation period of Goddess Kamakhya arrives, let us know some astonishing facts about the Devi you did not know before. Below is a list of 5 unknown facts about Maa Kamakhya that are lesser-known:
5 Astonishing Facts About The Menstruating Goddess Kamakhya Devi You Did Not Know
1. Origin Of Devi Kamakhya: Numerous Hindu texts hold insights about the origin of Goddess Kamakhya, each providing unique accounts that influence worship customs. Daksha, the son of Lord Brahma, is portrayed in the Kalika Purana as a devout devotee of the Goddess, who bestows upon him a daughter, Sati, who is a reincarnation of the Devi. The Yogini Tantra, on the other hand, relates a different story in which Devi is provoked by Brahma's conceit and creates a demon, Kesi, to punish him. After Devi is worshipped by Brahma and Vishnu, she defeats the demon in Kesipura, where she is worshipped as Goddess Kamakhya and is thought to have the 'Yoni Mandala'. The richness and complexity of Hindu mythology are reflected in these disparate tales, which have an impact on how the deity is treated and worshipped.
2. Unique Iconography Of Kamakhya Devi: Known as the Goddess of Desire, Goddess Kamakhya resides in a stone yoni at her temple. She is frequently portrayed as a sixteen-year-old girl wearing a red sari and having six heads of various colours, each of which has a third eye. Symbols such as a lotus, sword and trident are held in her twelve arms. She is seated on a lotus above Lord Shiva, who is perched atop a ferocious lion, with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu sitting on lotuses on either side. Exuding beauty and strength, Goddess Kamakhya is a representation of divine power and femininity, richly adorned with red flowers and jewellery.
Goddess Kamakhya is revered as the divine menstruating goddess who gives the boon of fertility. Her menstruation period is celebrated every year during Ambubachi Mela at the Kamakhya Devi Temple in Assam. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
3. Divine Names and Power: Due to of her numerous qualities, Goddess Kamakhya is worshipped under several names, such as Mahamaya, Kameshwari and Durga. She represents divine feminine power as an incarnation of Maa Parvati. Her significance in Hinduism is demonstrated by the fact that her extraordinary powers are said to have been instrumental in Lord Krishna's slaying of the Asura King Narakasura.
4. Associations And Incarnations: The Mahavidyas, a group of powerful divinities revered at the Kamakhya temple complex in Assam are closely associated with the goddess Kamakhya. In keeping with her association with the divine feminine, she is also closely linked to Maa Durga. Guptakama, Srikama, and Bhuvaneshvari are among the eight Ashtashaktis, or manifestations, of Devi Kamakhya that are revered as unique manifestations of her power.
5. Menstruation Of Goddess Kamakhya: The surprising ritual associated with the menstruating goddess is among Kamakhya Temple's most intriguing aspects. During the annual Ambubachi Mela, the temple is closed for three days because it is believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through her menstrual cycle during this time. On the fourth day, the temple reopens, and worshippers assemble to receive prasad (holy offerings) and the goddess' blessings.
In Hinduism, the menstruating goddess Kamakhya is a symbol of the power of creation and fertility. Her menstrual blood is revered and believed to possess healing properties from God. She is visited by worshippers from all over the world who seek her blessings, especially those seeking fertility or assistance with menstrual issues.
(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)