Visiting Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati (Assam) India

There’s a saying that you haven’t visited Assam if you haven’t stepped inside the famous Kamakhya temple. So, after the second wave of COVID-19, when I landed at this majestic land of “Blue Hills and Red River”, visiting Kamakhya temple was on top of my list.

But 1500 miles from home, little did I know that I would be denied entry into the temple for being partially vaccinated. I tried to convince the security guard multiple times and even showed my RAT and PCR Test reports, but nothing worked. So, as a final resort, I had to bribe my way in by paying a "Panda" (temple priest) 2000 bucks.

Although I’m not so proud of it.. but now, when I look back, I believe it was worth every penny.

According to a legend, Khamakhya Temple marks the site where Sati’s womb fell and is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peeths in India. Representing The Female Power of Shakti and celebrating a woman’s ability to conceive, this temple is one-of-a-kind. It doesn’t have an idol but a yoni (vagina) worshipped by thousands of tourists, visitors, and spiritual pilgrims daily.

The premises were filled with devotes and almost claustrophobic, with all the fire, incense, and chanting overwhelming and enveloping everyone in the divine energy. Visiting the temple for the first time was an exuberating experience for me. It was an experience that I might never forget. An experience of a lifetime.

Have you ever been to Kamakhaya Temple?

Tell me your story in the comments section!