Kamakhya Temple is a famous Hindu pilgrimage located on the Nilachal hill in Guwahati, Assam. Dedicated to the tantric goddesses, the temple compound not only houses the deity Kamakhya Devi but ten other avatars of goddess Kali as well. The temple has profound religious significance as it features in one of the 108 Shakti peeths in the country. Many legends are associated with this famous temple which gives it a unique aura.
As per one story, Kamakhya Temple is one of those 108 places where Sati's body parts fell. It’s believed that Sati's womb and vagina fell here. The origin of the name 'Kamakhya' happened when the Shakti's womb and genitals were found by the God of love, Kamadeva, to regain his virility and potency (which was gone due to a curse). Since then, deity 'Kamakhya' deviis worshipped here.
As per another legend, the Kamakhya Temple is a place where romantic encounters between Shiva and Devi Sati took place. Further, Kamakhya Devi is also known as the bleeding goddess and when the goddess bleeds or menstruates in the month of June, the Brahmaputra river near the temple turns red. Thus, the temple remains closed for the next 3 days and the holy water is distributed among devotees.