Kamagiri Shakti Peetha

► Kamrup - Devi Kamakhya Temple
(Kamrup district, Assam)

Devi Kamakhya Temple of Kamrup is identified with the Kamagiri Shakti Peetha mentioned in the Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
- After the Yoni Mandala of Devi had fallen on the Nilachala Parvata, it turned into a stone. Devi Kamakhya abides in that stone (Kalika Purana).
- The great devas abide here in the form of Hills (Devi Bhagavatam).

Kamakhya Temple:
- Simha-Dwara: Pilgrims normally ascend the Nilachala Parvata from the eastern pathway built by Narakasura. There is a gate on the foothills known as Simha-Dwara. The path of ascent is full of scenic beauty which fills the heart with joy.
- Saubhagya Kunda: On the northern side of the Kamakhya Temple is the Krida-Pushkarini (Temple Tank for Play of Devi) of the Devi known as Saubhagya Kunda. Pilgrims visit this Saubhagya Kunda before entering the Temple of the Devi.
- Ganesha: On the bank of the Saubhagya Kunda is a shrine of Sri Ganesha which the pilgrims visit before entering the Temple of the Devi.
- Kamakhya Chalanta Murti (Haragauri Murti or Bhoga Murti): While entering the Temple of the Devi, the pilgrims have the darshan of the Chalanta Murti of the Devi, also known as Haragauri Murti or Bhoga Murti. In this Murti, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar forms the vahana of the Devi. Here Kameshwari Devi is with Kameshwar Shiva. After having the darshan of Kameshwar - Kameshwari, pilgrims visit the Yonimudra Peetha of the Devi.
- Yonimudra Peetha or Mahamudra: The Yonimudra Peetha of the Devi is inside a dark cave which the pilgrims visit by climbing down ten steps. The cave is illuminated only by an oil lamp. The Yoni Mandala of the Devi is in the form of a stone which is kept moist by natural underground water.
- Various Deities: There are Images of various Deities (engraved on wall or in shrines) outside the Temple of the Devi. They are Mangala Chandi, Annapoorna, Manasa Devi, Chamunda Devi, Batuka Bhairava, Nilakantha Mahadeva, Nandi, Bhringi, Narayana, Rama, Gopala, Kalki Avatara etc.
- Various Sages: There are also Images of various sages like Kapila Muni, Jaratkaru Muni etc.
- Various Kings: There are similarly Images of various kings like Yudhishthira, Dronacharya, king Naranarayana of Koch, kings of Ahom etc.

Nilachala Parvata:
The Devi Kamakhya Temple is located on the Nilachala Parvata. The devas abide in the Nilachala Parvata in the form of Hills. There are three peaks in this mountain range known as Brahma Parvata, Vishnu Parvata and Shiva Parvata. The Brahma Parvata is on the East (near the Bhuvaneshwari Peetha). The Shiva Parvata is in the Center (near the Kamakhya Devi Temple). The Vishnu Parvata or the Varaha Parvata is on the West. There is a Varaha Kunda near the Varaha Parvata. There are four pathways built by Narakasura to ascend the Hill. The four gateways are Vyaghra-dwara (South), Hanumanta-dwara (West), Swarga-dwara (North) and Simha-dwara (East). It is said that ascending the Hill from the East bestows wealth. Ascending the Hill from the North bestows Mukti. Ascending the Hill from the West bestows kingdom. However, ascending the Hill from the South leads to death. The regular path to ascend the Hill now is the Simha-dwara on the East.