SOUL SEARCHING
Jai Maa Kamakhya
The beautiful Maa Kamakhya Temple
It
was the year 2024 - like any other this year came with lot of opportunities as
well as challenges. Opportunities because it helped me delve into my inner
being and helped me to be a better human being. And challenges because when we
start digging into ourselves it is a painful journey. The dark sides of us
cries when it seeks light but struggles.
In
the hills is her home – Jagat Janani as we refer her as – full of love, goodness
and beauty. She is grace. She is truth. She is oneness.
Jai
Maa Kamakhya
The Kamakhya Temple in the Nilachal hills
For
her powers are limitless and blessings immense. She is everyone’s mother.
Hail
the Mother Goddess.
Every
year during Ambubachi people from across the world visit Maa Kamakhya Temple
located in the Nilachal hills to make a visit to this Shakti Peetha. A melting
place of cultures…embracing human hearts leaving them soaked in ecstasy. For
many she is that support which helps them sail through life.
Ever
since a kid even when I had no idea what spirituality is all about when I
visited Guwahati which is referred to as the “Gateway to the Northeast” I
wanted to make a visit to Maa Kamakhya. It never happened. At times when I
would visit the Kamakhya Railway Station in Guwahati I felt this yearning to be
at Maa Kamakhya’s divine presence. Gradually as I grew up my believe in the power of the omnipotent
became stronger. And then finally in the year 2024 when I went to Guwahati to participate
in a workshop organized by National Institute of Educational Planning and
Administration (NIEPA) while travelling I made up my mind following a divine
call to have a heightened sense of awareness about my purpose in the planet –
to do good to others and to feel good – to help and to spread smile following
the path shown by her. And after staying for sometimes in the Hotel Rajdhani Regency we decided to make a
visit to the Shakti Peetha.
The
beauty of the Nilachal hills is breathtaking. As I walked along I was filled
with a sense of awe. I could see many other temples as I walked past the shops
enjoying the morning sun – the rays falling on my body filling me with warmth
wrapping me up in absolute calmness.
Temples situated near the Kamakhya Temple
(1)
Kameswar Temple
(2)
Bhubaneswari Temple
(3)
Bhairavi Temple
(4)
Temple of Bagala Devi
(5)Temple
of Kali Devi
(6)Temple
of Tara Devi
(7)Temple
of Devi Chhinnamasta
(8)Temple
of Dhumawati Devi
As
mentioned in the book Maha Tirth KAMAKHYA which was lovingly carried by the
author from a shop on her way back home from the Kamakhya temple one of the
sacred site in the temple premises that can be visited include -Soubhagya Kunda
(The pond of prosperity) among many others.
Life
is incredibly beautiful. Time and again when we feel things are just falling
apart there are people who come into our life as a ray of home- to love us and
to make us happy. I met a lovely sister from Kokrajhar- as I dearly call her Sri.
Arriving at Guwahati for the workshop was thrill. And then as I opened the door
on hearing the knock a day before the
workshop started I saw a face as bright
as the sunshine. And I smiled back. We got introduced and became inseparable
for the rest of the few days of the workshop.
Asking
Sri if she would like to travel with us and on her ‘yes’ we left for Maa Kamakhya
– to the Nilachal hills – early morning from our hotel after the
workshop ended. Our cab carried us to a big gate taking us to Maa Kamakhya
Temple. I felt delighted. So many people have travelled to this holy place – so
many stories attached to it. And as we approached travelling through the bends
which took us to her abode, I felt a deep longing to be home.
Our
cab stopped. It was morning. We walked for sometime reaching a place where we
could see many shops around. There were people opening lotus blooms, selling
flowers. I feel it excited when I see people opening the petals of the lotus
flower. This is because in life too if we could peel the layers of darkness
that encircle us we move to divine light which is the whole purpose to be born
as a human being – to recognize our inner strength and to move towards light - to
embrace our divine self.
The
shop keeper helped us with our offerings to Maa Kamakhya. And then we walked
alone. I collected few Aparajita flowers which waited to be offered to Maa Kamakhya.
And then proceeding further crossing the stairs we reached her divine abode. There
were people around, some in queue to offer prayers to Maa Kamakhya.
My
wish got fulfilled. I could see people circumambulating-also known as Pradakshina or Parikrama which is walking around the temple. Looking around I also saw people sitting in absolute stillness-meditating upon the divine in sadhana before
the statues present in the walls of the Maa Kamakhya Temple. People with families, some on wheelchairs … humanity
merging into the absolute consciousness embracing divine calling. We waited for
some time to get the tickets. The early morning sunshine appeared to be a
blessing. I explored the places around while Sri and Bagmita waited. We moved to
Soubhagya Kunda where we offered prayers. Near the Soubhagya Kunda we offered
our prayers to Ganesha. And then finally we moved in for the darshan. As I sat
I could all but smile with hope, belief and an unwavering faith in a higher
power before whom humanity bows. For me I submitted to Maa Kamakhya’s wish which is
my calling.
I
saw a most beautiful form of Maa before entering the Garba Griha of Maa Kamakhya. A diya was lit in front of her. This is the most beautiful form of
the Goddess I had seen. And then walking inside I could see people praying. We
walked down in the darkness and offered prayers to Maa Kamakhya. My heart
soaked in the beauty her love draws me in remaining thankful every single
minute for making my existence in the planet beautiful by bringing divinity
into my life…. all those countless beautiful moments ...the people she sends to
my life are all part of her divine plan. We returned after offering our prayers
and we were guided by a Panditji who asked us to meet him outside after
offering our prayers to Maa Kamakhya.
The wait before the darshan
The darshan of Maa Kamakhya made beautiful by
Sri’s presence
Panditji
guided us as we offered diya and incense
outside the main temple complex. And then we clicked few pictures taking a tour
of the places around.
As
we walked back it was delightful seeing people praying, clicking photos and
offering prayers. I walked into a shop to buy few items made of bamboo while
Bagmita and Sri returned. It renewed my mind with new filled jest for life. It
was a perfect homecoming.
There
are different festivals when devotees
visit the temple premises of Maa Kamakhya. Some of them are –
Ambubachi Mela (fair)
Falling
in the Assamese month of Ahaar Ambubachi Mela is the celebration of yearly
menstruation course of mother earth. Residing in the Maha Yoni Peetha Ambubachi
Mela is the time where congregation of devotees takes place during the
menstrual period of Maa Kamakhya. The period starting from the first day to the
last day of the course is referred to as Ambubachi.
As
the doors of Maa Kamakhya remain closed devotees from across the world wait for
‘Darshan’ on the fourth day to seek Maa Kamakhya’s blessing.
Manasa Puja and Deodhani
Dance
Many
devotees visit Kamakhya Dham to participate in the Manasa Puja which takes
place on the last day of the Indian month of Sravana (Sravan Sankranti).A
traditional folk dance of Assam known popularly as the ‘Deodhani Nritya’ is
associated with Manasa Puja. The word ‘Deo’ in Assamese refers to Devata (God)
and the word ‘Dhani’ refers to a girl or daughter. Thus the word ‘Deodhani’
refers to a ‘Deo’ in the guise of a girl who is equivalent to ‘Devi. Dancers
are unmarried women with open hairs who
dance to the beats of ‘Jaydhol, cymbals and other musical instruments.
Some
of the other festivals include –
Durga Puja
Laxmi Puja
Kali Puja
Nabanna
Pushyavishek
Durgadoul
Basanti Puja
Madan Chaturali
Shivaratri
SriKrishna Janmastami
Ratanti Kali Puja
Dol Yatra of SriKrishna
SriSriSaraswati Puja
Manoni Puja
Reaching Maa Kamakhya
For
people planning a visit to Maa Kamakhya from different parts of the world once
you reach Guwahati there are cabs and buses and other private vehicles which
take you to Maa Kamakhya in the Nilachal hills.
1. From Kamakhya Railway Station
There
are different public transports available from Kamakhya Railway Station which
is at a distance of nearly three kilometers from the gate of Kamakhya Dham.
2. From Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi
International Airport
For
people travelling to Maa Kamakhya temple from other states of India and across
the world there are many transport facilities available to travel to Maa
Kamakhya.
This visit to the Nilachal hills will forever remain etched in my mind. I am deeply grateful to Maa Kamakhya for her divine calling. A heartfelt thanks to my sister Bagmita for all her assistance in making the trip memorable and making it happen. Swdwmsri Islary- you are a blessing to me. It was wonderful meeting you sister. I remain grateful to all the lovely people who have helped me reach Maa Kamakhya's divine abode.
A blissful morning spent at Maa Kamakhya
When I am lost, you are my safe haven.
Because
you are my wonder.
My
only dream.
You
take me to lands unexplored
For
you hold my breath.
You
are my prayer.
My
Sadhana.
Life
can never be more beautiful than this.
Thank
you Maa for aligning my values to my life’s purpose.
At
your lotus feet my heart blossoms like many other
Into
a thousand blooms.
You
have graced my life with your divine touch.
You
are ineffable.
You
are wonder.
I
am grateful for everything you have showered upon me.
Jai
Maa Kamakhya
We
pray that the planet be blessed with divine grace and every human be happy and
kind.
Love
and Light
Stay
blessed
Priyanka
Note
Book referred by the
author while writing the Blog
Maha
Tirth KAMAKHYA written by Dr. Debabrata Ghosh.
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