23°C
Kamrup Metropolitan
Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple
Kamrup Metropolitan, Assam, India
Kamakhya Temple, atop Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam, is a revered Shakti Peetha where the Goddess is worshipped as a yoni-shaped cleft in natural rock, sanctified by a flowing spring.
- ReligionHindu
About the temple
About the temple
Description: Kamakhya Temple, managed by Maa Kamakhya Devalaya, is one of the most sacred shrines of Shakti worship in India and is revered as one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas. It stands on Nilachal Hill in western Guwahati, Assam, close to the Brahmaputra. The sanctum has no carved idol. The Goddess is worshipped as a natural rock cleft shaped like a yoni, kept moist by an underground spring. The present temple was completed in 1565 under the Koch king Naranarayana, reusing the ruins of an earlier stone temple, and later additions such as the Natmandir came under Ahom patronage. Kamakhya is one of the foremost centres of Tantric Shaktism and hosts the annual Ambubachi Mela, which draws lakhs of pilgrims. Religion: Hindu Deity: Goddess Kamakhya (Maa Kamakhya Devi) Timings: Morning 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Afternoon 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM (daily; the temple closes for about three days during Ambubachi Mela) Seasonal: No
Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple
Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple
Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple in Numbers
Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple is on Nilachal Hill in western Guwahati, close to the Brahmaputra. It is traditionally counted among the 51 Shakti Peethas and is one of the foremost centres of Tantric Shakti worship. These numbers show its history, its shrines and its festival crowds.
- Shakti Peethas in the traditional count. The temple's official site calls Kamakhya the most sacred and oldest of them.
- 51
- Reported age of the bottom layer of the temple, from a radiocarbon test cited by the temple's history pages (Duara, 2003)
- 2200 Years
- Year the present temple was rebuilt under the Koch king Naranarayana
- 1565
- Year the temple's official site gives for the Natmandir, added by the Ahom king Rajeswar Singha
- 1759
- Mahavidya goddesses worshipped on Nilachal Hill
- 10
- Shiva temples on Nilachal Hill, according to the official site
- 5
- Time the sanctum stays closed during Ambubachi
- 3 Days
- Devotees who visited during Ambubachi Mela 2026, including 75 international pilgrims, according to the Assam Tourism Minister
- 796777
- Special darshan fee listed in the Ambubachi 2026 notice. The general queue is free. Check the official site for current rates
- Rs501
Shakti Peethas in the traditional count. The temple's official site calls Kamakhya the most sacred and oldest of them.
Reported age of the bottom layer of the temple, from a radiocarbon test cited by the temple's history pages (Duara, 2003)
Year the present temple was rebuilt under the Koch king Naranarayana
Year the temple's official site gives for the Natmandir, added by the Ahom king Rajeswar Singha
Mahavidya goddesses worshipped on Nilachal Hill
Shiva temples on Nilachal Hill, according to the official site
Time the sanctum stays closed during Ambubachi
Devotees who visited during Ambubachi Mela 2026, including 75 international pilgrims, according to the Assam Tourism Minister
Special darshan fee listed in the Ambubachi 2026 notice. The general queue is free. Check the official site for current rates
Historical Background
Kamakhya Temple (Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple) on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam, has a very long history as a centre of Goddess worship, and many scholars believe its practices have indigenous, Kirata-based roots outside the brahminical tradition. Kamakhya is named in texts such as the Kalika Purana and the Yogini Tantra, and the Hevajra Tantra (c. 8th century) refers to Kamarupa as a pitha. A radiocarbon test cited by the temple's own history pages reports that the bottom layer of the temple is about 2,200 years old. The first epigraphic mention of the Goddess is in 9th-century Mlechchha plates, and the Mlechchha rulers may have built or rebuilt a stone temple here, with Kamakhya becoming an important Tantric seat under the Palas. The temple was destroyed around 1498 during Hussain Shah's invasion of the Kamata kingdom. After worship was revived under the Koch king Biswa Singha, his son Naranarayana rebuilt it, completing the work in 1565 under the supervision of his general Chilarai. An inscription commemorating this reconstruction survives. The Ahom kings later expanded the complex, and Rajeswar Singha (r. 1751-69) added the Natmandir, which has an inscription dated 1759. In 2015 the Supreme Court transferred the temple's administration to the Bordeuri Samaj, and it remains a leading centre of Shakti worship and pilgrimage.
Ancient era
Ancient era
Nilachal Hill is associated with early Goddess worship, which many scholars link to indigenous (Kirata) traditions. The Mahabharata mentions Pragjyotisha, and later texts such as the Kalika Purana connect the region with Kamarupa.c. 200 BCE (reported)
c. 200 BCE (reported)
A radiocarbon test cited by the temple's history pages (Duara, 2003) dates the bottom layer of the temple to about 2,200 years ago and the second layer to about 1,500 years ago.5th century CE
5th century CE
The Umachala rock inscription records a cave temple built under King Surendravarman, showing early religious activity on the hill.c. 8th century CE
c. 8th century CE
The Hevajra Tantra refers to Kamarupa as a pitha.9th century CE
9th century CE
The earliest epigraphic mention of Kamakhya appears in the Tezpur plates of the Mlechchha dynasty. The Mlechchha rulers likely built or rebuilt a Nagara-type stone temple. The Kalika Purana, dated between the 9th century and the Pala period depending on the source, describes the temple in detail.c. 900-1100 CE
c. 900-1100 CE
Under the Palas, Kamakhya became an important Tantric seat and pilgrimage centre.1498 CE
1498 CE
The temple was destroyed, most likely during Hussain Shah's invasion of the Kamata kingdom. A tradition blames Kalapahar, but this is now considered unlikely.1515-1540 CE
1515-1540 CE
The Koch king Biswa Singha revived worship and restored the site.1555-1565 CE
1555-1565 CE
His son Naranarayana, with his brother and general Chilarai, rebuilt the temple. The work was completed in 1565, and inscriptions and sculpted images of Naranarayana survive in the temple chambers.17th-19th centuries CE
17th-19th centuries CE
The Ahom kings became the temple's chief patrons. They granted land and built or renovated many shrines, including those of the Dasa Mahavidyas.1751-69 CE
1751-69 CE
During Rajeswar Singha's reign the Natmandir was added, with an apsidal end and shell-shaped roof. An inscription is dated 1759.2015 CE
2015 CE
The Supreme Court transferred the temple's administration to the Bordeuri Samaj.2024-2026 CE
2024-2026 CE
In February 2024 the Rs 498 crore Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor (Divyalok Pariyojana) foundation was laid under PM-DevINE. Court challenges stalled it until the Gauhati High Court cleared it on 13 February 2026, after studies vetted by IIT Guwahati.
Synopsis
Kamakhya Temple (Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple) in Guwahati, Assam, is one of the most important Shakti Peethas, traditionally counted among the 51, where the yoni of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen. It stands on Nilachal Hill in western Guwahati, close to the Brahmaputra, and is one of the foremost centres of Tantric Shakti worship. The Goddess is venerated not as an idol but as a yoni-shaped cleft in natural rock, kept moist by an underground spring. The present main temple was completed in 1565 under the Koch king Naranarayana, with later additions under Ahom patronage. The temple complex and surrounding hill also include shrines to the ten Mahavidyas. Each year, usually in late June, the Ambubachi Mela draws lakhs of pilgrims to mark the Goddess's annual menstruation.
Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple, dedicated to the Goddess as Kamakhya, stands on Nilachal Hill in western Guwahati, on the southern side of the Brahmaputra, and is counted among the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Its worship draws on both Sanskrit Tantric tradition and older local (Kirata) practice, and many scholars regard the site as a place of Goddess worship long before the present temple was built. A radiocarbon test cited by the temple's history pages (Duara, 2003) reported that the bottom layer of the temple is about 2,200 years old.
The Umachala rock inscription of the 5th century records a cave temple under King Surendravarman on the hill. The Hevajra Tantra (c. 8th century) refers to Kamarupa as a pitha, and the Kalika Purana describes the temple in detail. The first epigraphic mention of Kamakhya is in the 9th-century Tezpur plates of the Mlechchha dynasty, who likely built or rebuilt a stone temple. The temple was destroyed around 1498, most likely during Hussain Shah's invasion of the Kamata kingdom; a tradition blames Kalapahar.
Koch king Biswa Singha (1515-1540) revived worship at the site, and his son Naranarayana (1540-1587) rebuilt the temple between 1555 and 1565 with the help of his brother and general Chilarai. An inscription in the temple records Chilarai's building of the temple during Naranarayana's reign in 1565. The Ahom kings later became the main patrons, granting land and building or renovating many shrines on Nilachal, and during the reign of Rajeswar Singha (1751-69) the Natmandir was added, with an inscription dated 1759.
Kamakhya is one of the foremost centres of Tantric Shaktism in India. The Goddess is worshipped as a natural yoni-shaped cleft in the rock, kept moist by a spring, rather than as an image, and the complex holds shrines to the ten Mahavidyas and to various forms of Shiva. The annual Ambubachi Mela, marking the Goddess's menstruation, draws lakhs of pilgrims.
The temple is managed under the Maa Kamakhya Devalaya, with the Doloi Samaj running its affairs under the head priest (Doloi) and the Bordeuri as senior priests. Pilgrimage amenities have been developed under the PRASHAD scheme (a project of about Rs 29.80 crore, including a multilevel car park). The Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor project, with a foundation laid in February 2024, was cleared by the Gauhati High Court in February 2026 and aims to improve access and amenities while protecting the temple's sacred springs.
Sacred significance
The Place Where Sati's Yoni Fell
According to tradition, the yoni of Goddess Sati fell here when her body was divided by Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra. Kamakhya is counted among the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Pilgrims come from all over India and from abroad.
Worship Without an Idol
The sanctum has no carved image. The Goddess is worshipped as a natural cleft in the rock, shaped like a yoni and kept wet by an underground spring. Devotees offer flowers and prayers at this cleft, which stands for the creative power of the Goddess.
A Major Centre of Tantric Worship
Kamakhya is one of the foremost centres of Tantric worship in India. Both the Vamachara (left-hand) and Dakshinachara (right-hand) paths are followed here. The Kalika Purana and the Yogini Tantra describe the Goddess and Nilachal Hill at length.
Ambubachi Mela
The Ambubachi Mela is held in late June. The temple closes for three days, as the Goddess is believed to go through her yearly menstruation, and then reopens to large crowds. Devotees seek the Angabastra (sacred cloth) and Angodak (sacred water) as blessings.
The Ten Mahavidyas
The temple complex has shrines to all ten Mahavidyas, the great wisdom goddesses of Tantric tradition. Tripura Sundari, Matangi and Kamala are inside the main temple. The other seven have their own shrines on Nilachal Hill.
Architecture
The present Kamakhya Temple, rebuilt in 1565, gave its name to the Nilachal style of temple architecture. The temple's official site says the style combines the traditional Nagara (North Indian) form with Saracenic (Mughal) features. The main shikhara (tower) is made of brick, with sixteen sides, horizontal bands and a rounded, beehive-like top, and it stands on a lower part made of stone. According to the official site, the temple has five chambers: the garbhagriha (sanctum), the antarala (vestibule), the jagamohan (main hall), the bhogmandir or pancharatna (ritual hall) and the natmandir (performance hall). Carved panels on the walls show Ganesha and other gods and goddesses, and some of the sculpture comes from the older stone temple.
Layout
Layout
The chambers are built one after another, with the sanctum below ground level at the innermost point. The official site calls it the only temple in Assam with a fully developed ground plan. Around it on Nilachal Hill are shrines to the ten Mahavidyas, five Shiva temples, a Vishnu temple, a few shrines to other deities, and ponds such as Saubhagya Kunda.
Spire
Shikhara (Nilachal-Style Dome)
The main shikhara is made of brick, with sixteen sides, horizontal bands and a rounded top. The Darang-rajavamsavali, a 17th-century chronicle cited by the temple's official site, says masons sent by the Koch king Naranarayana failed several times to rebuild the tower in stone. They used brick instead and changed the shape.
Sanctum
Garbhagriha (Sanctum)
The sanctum is a small, dark chamber below ground level, reached by narrow stone steps. It holds no image. The Goddess is worshipped as a natural yoni-shaped hollow in the rock, kept filled by an underground spring. Three of the ten Mahavidyas, Tripura Sundari, Matangi and Kamala, are also inside the main temple.
Hall
Calanta Chamber
A square chamber named after a small movable (calanta) image of the Goddess kept there. Its walls carry sculpted images of King Naranarayana and related inscriptions. Other sources record statues of his brother Chilarai and an inscription about the 1565 rebuilding.
Mandapa
Pancharatna (Bhogmandir)
The ritual hall has five domes that look like the main shikhara. It is used for ritual ceremonies.
Natmandir
Natmandir (Performance Hall)
Added during the reign of the Ahom king Rajeswar Singha (1751-69), which the official site dates to 1759. It has an apsidal end and a shell-shaped roof, and inscriptions of 1759 and 1782 are on its inner walls. It is used for traditional dance and music.
Sculpture
Stone Carvings and Panels
The walls and plinth carry carved panels of Ganesha and other gods and goddesses. The natmandir's outer wall has figures of ganas, betalas and other demigods in high relief. Some of the sculpture comes from the older stone temple and was reused when the temple was rebuilt in the 16th century.
Corridor
Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor
The corridor project, with a foundation laid in February 2024 at an estimated cost of about Rs 498 crore, plans to widen the access path from 8-10 feet to 27-30 feet and to increase the open area around the temple. The Gauhati High Court cleared the project on 13 February 2026. Check the latest news for progress.
Interesting facts
Unlike most Hindu temples, Kamakhya has no carved image of the Goddess in its sanctum. Devotees worship a natural rock cleft shaped like a yoni, kept wet by an underground spring. Flowers are the usual offering, and red cloth is given to pilgrims as prasad.
Deities & Shrines
Tripura Sundari, Matangi and Kamala
The official site identifies Kamakhya with Tripura Sundari, and Matangi and Kamala are worshipped with her inside the main temple. Matangi is linked with speech and learning, and Kamala with wealth and well-being. Three of the ten Mahavidyas can therefore be seen in the main temple itself.
Kameshwara and Kameshwari
The movable images of Kameshwara (a form of Shiva) and Kameshwari (the Goddess) are kept in the Chalanta hall. At Pohan Biya, the Kameshwara image is taken to the Kameshwara Shiva temple the day before the wedding. On the wedding day the Kameshwari image is taken to the Panch Ratna hall, where the marriage is performed.
Manasa Puja and Deodhani
Manasa, the serpent goddess, is honoured with an elaborate puja during a three-day festival, usually in July or August. The festival is linked with the Deodhani dance.
Bhuvaneshwari
The Bhuvaneshwari temple stands at the highest point of Nilachal Hill, above the main temple. She is worshipped as the Queen of the Universe and the Goddess of the Three Worlds.
Kali and Tara
Tara and Kali have separate temples on the road to the main temple, with Kali after Tara. Tara is the Great Wisdom Goddess who protects devotees from obstacles, and she has both mild and fierce forms. Kali is a fierce goddess linked with time, who destroys evil and grants liberation.
Bagalamukhi, Chhinnamasta, Bhairavi and Dhumavati
These four Mahavidyas have their own shrines on the hill. Bagalamukhi, called Pitambari for her yellow colour, is said to remove fear. Chhinnamasta, shown cutting off her own head, stands for spiritual self-realization. Bhairavi is a fierce but protective mother, and Dhumavati, shown as a widow in white, is believed to grant wishes and salvation.
The Five Shiva Temples
The official site says there are five Shiva temples around Nilachal Hill and names Kameswara, Siddheswara, Kedareswara, Amratokeswara, Aghora and Kautilinga. Sources disagree on which five are counted. The Kameswara temple is where the groom's image rests the night before Pohan Biya.
Vishnu, Ganesha and Other Shrines
The complex also has a Vishnu temple, according to the official site, and a few shrines to other deities. The Kamrup Metro district page lists three Vishnu temples, in the forms of Kedara, Gadadhara and Pandunath. Ganesha appears in carved panels on the temple walls.
Darshan & Service Offerings
| Service | Timing | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Queue Darshan (Free Darshan) | 08:00 AM - 01:00 PM and 02:30 PM - 05:15 PM on regular days, subject to crowd arrangements. | Free | General darshan lets devotees see and worship the Peetha in the sanctum without a fee. A free general queue booking is available through the official portal, mkdonlinegenq.in. Queues can be long, especially on festival days. |
| Special Darshan (Paid Quick Darshan) | Morning and afternoon slots during darshan hours; not available on some peak days. | Rs 501 per person | Special darshan gives a separate, faster queue to the sanctum. Since 15 June 2026, tickets are booked online only, through the official portal mkdonline.co.in, and the Devalaya has stopped offline counter booking for morning and afternoon slots. The facility is closed on some peak days. In 2026 it was not available on 26 and 27 June, the two days after Ambubachi. Check the official site for current notices. |
| Defence Personnel Entry | During darshan hours, subject to availability. | N/A | A separate entry for defence personnel is booked through the official portal, defence.mkdonline.in. It was closed on 26 and 27 June 2026 because of the heavy rush after Ambubachi. |
| Aarati (Evening Worship) | 07:30 PM. | No ticket published; attendance subject to temple arrangements. | The evening aarati of the Goddess is listed at 7:30 PM on the official schedule, after the doors close to devotees at 5:15 PM. Check locally whether devotees can attend on the day of your visit. |
| Personal Puja Through the Temple Priests | During temple hours, by arrangement with a priest. | Set by the officiating priest; confirm before the puja begins. | Devotees can arrange personal pujas and offerings through the temple's priests. The Bardeuri Samaj, made up of four families, holds the customary right to manage the temple's religious affairs. Agree the ritual and dakshina in advance. The Devalaya does not authorise any website or app to conduct pujas on its behalf. |
| Kumari Puja (Worship of the Young Goddess) | By arrangement; held during major pujas, especially Durga Puja. | By arrangement. | In Kumari Puja, a young girl is worshipped as a form of Goddess Kamakhya. The temple's official site calls it an integral part of almost all major pujas, more so Durga Puja. |
| Bali (Ritual Offering) | During temple hours, at the sacrificial house at the west end of the temple. | As arranged locally. | Animal offerings are a long-standing practice at Kamakhya. Goats and pigeons are offered daily, and buffaloes and ducks at Durga Puja, according to a travel guide. The Bar Doloi has said the offerings are part of the daily puja. The practice is debated. Flowers are the usual offering. |
| Dasa Mahavidya Temple Darshan | Generally during daytime hours; the official site publishes no shrine timings. | Free | Devotees can visit the temples of Tara, Kali, Dhumavati, Chhinnamasta, Bagalamukhi, Bhairavi and Bhuvaneshwari, and the five Shiva temples on Nilachal Hill. Tara and Kali are on the road to the main temple, Dhumavati is down a short flight of steps, Chhinnamasta and Bagalamukhi are about half a kilometre to a kilometre away, and Bhuvaneshwari is at the top of the hill. |
| Ambubachi Darshan (Annual Reopening) | From the morning of the reopening day after the three-day closure (26 June in 2026). | Free general queue; special darshan and defence entry were closed on 26 and 27 June 2026. | When the temple reopens after the Ambubachi closure, devotees queue for darshan and receive the Angabastra and Angodak. Crowds are very large. Footwear must be left at the designated camps on the approach road. |
| Donations to the Devalaya | Any time. | Any amount. | Devotees can support the temple through donations to Maa Kamakhya Devalaya. Details are available on the <a href="https://maakamakhya.org/donation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official donation page</a>. |
Visitor information
Location
Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple is on Nilachal Hill, Kamakhya, Guwahati - 781010, Assam, India, in the western part of the city on the south side of the Brahmaputra. The temple is reached from AT Road by a hill road, past Kamakhya Gate. City buses run up to the parking area near the temple.
Temple Opening Hours
On regular days, the temple opens to devotees at 8:00 AM, closes at 1:00 PM for the cooked offering to the Goddess, reopens at 2:30 PM and closes for the night at 5:15 PM. The Snana of the Pithasthana (5:30 AM) and Nitya Puja (6:00 AM) take place before the doors open, and the Aarati is listed at 7:30 PM.
Darshan Arrangements
Devotees can choose the free general queue or the paid special darshan queue (Rs 501). Waits can be long, especially on festival days, so arrive early.
Entry and Ticket Information
General entry is free. Special darshan and defence entry are booked online through the Devalaya's official portals, and a free general queue booking is also available. Since 15 June 2026, offline counter booking for special darshan slots has been discontinued.
Footwear Rules
Footwear is not allowed beyond the main entrance of the temple. During Ambubachi, devotees must leave footwear at designated camps on the approach road.
Dress and Attire
I could not find a published dress code from the Devalaya. Visitors are advised to wear modest clothing suitable for a place of worship.
Photography and Prohibited Items
Photography is not allowed inside the temples of Kamakhya Hill. The whole Kamakhya complex has been a tobacco-free zone since 1 January 2016, and the sale and use of tobacco products are banned.
Temple Office Contact
The Office of the Doloi, Maa Kamakhya Devalaya, can be contacted at 0361-2734654 or 0361-2734655, and by email at info@maakamakhyadevalaya.org or maakamakhyadevalaya@gmail.com.
Official Websites
The Devalaya lists maakamakhya.org and maakamakhyadevalaya.org as its only official websites. It has warned devotees that it does not authorise any online platform to conduct pujas on its behalf.
Accessibility
The temple is on a hill, and the sanctum is reached by narrow steps below ground level, so access can be difficult for elderly and differently-abled visitors. Some walking and waiting in queues cannot be avoided.
Getting There
Kamakhya Junction is roughly 5 to 9 km from the temple, depending on the source and the route. Guwahati Railway Station is about 7 to 8 km away, and Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is about 20 km away. Taxis, app cabs and city buses connect the city to the temple.
Important Visitor Notice
Timings and ticket facilities change during Ambubachi, Durga Puja and other festivals, when special darshan and defence entry may be suspended. Check maakamakhya.org for the latest notices before travelling.
Location
Kamrup Metropolitan, Assam, India
Best Time to Visit
Ideal Time to Visit (October-March)
The months from October to March bring cooler, drier and more comfortable weather to Guwahati, which is why most guides suggest them for visiting Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple and the Mahavidya shrines on Nilachal Hill. Some guides give slightly different ranges, such as September to February. This is also the main tourist season, so expect larger weekend crowds.
Ambubachi Mela (June)
Ambubachi is the most important festival at Kamakhya. The temple closes for three days and reopens after a ritual bath. In 2026 it ran from 22 to 26 June. It attracts lakhs of pilgrims, sadhus and Tantric practitioners, so expect very large crowds, strict vehicle restrictions and monsoon rain. Book accommodation well in advance.
Sharadiya Durga Puja (September-October)
Kamakhya observes Durga Puja for a fortnight, from Krishna Navami to Sukla Navami of Ashwina, with Kumari Puja and the Chandi recited. In 2026 the main days fall around 17 to 21 October by most calendars. The temple is especially lively, but the Devalaya has capped pilgrims and closed special passes on key days in past years. Check its notices.
Manasa Puja and Deodhani (July-August)
Manasa Puja runs for three days in the Natmandir, beginning on Sravana Sankranti, with the Deodhani dance. The official site describes Deodhani as a shamanistic dance performed by people believed to represent the spiritual power of a god or goddess. Thousands attend each year, and it falls in the monsoon, so plan for rain.
Weekends and Festival Days
Weekends, public holidays and festival days bring the longest queues. If you are not attending a festival, visit on a weekday and arrive before the 8:00 AM opening.
Summer Visit (April-May)
Guwahati becomes hot and humid in summer, with pre-monsoon thunderstorms. Early-morning visits are more comfortable. Carry water and protect yourself from the sun while waiting in queues.
Monsoon Visit (June-September)
The monsoon brings heavy rain and high humidity to Guwahati. Hill roads and stone steps can be slippery. Plan flexibly and check local conditions.
Planning a Complete Visit
The main temple alone can take 2 to 3 hours. The Mahavidya shrines and Shiva temples spread over Nilachal Hill take extra time, and no official estimate is published, so plan generously.
Nearby places
Bhuvaneshwari Temple
Above the main temple on Nilachal Hill (check locally)
- The Mahavidya temple at the highest point of Nilachal Hill, with views over Guwahati. It is open from sunrise to sunset.
Bagalamukhi Temple
About 1 km from the main temple, within the Nilachal Hill complex
- A Mahavidya shrine on the hill. Bagalamukhi, called Pitambari, is said to dispel fear.
Umananda Temple (Peacock Island)
Roughly 9 to 10 km to Kachari Ghat (approximate), then a short ferry ride
- A Shiva temple on a small island in the Brahmaputra, built in 1694 on the orders of the Ahom king Gadadhar Singha. It was damaged by the 1897 earthquake and rebuilt. Ferries run from Kachari Ghat, and the ride takes about 10 to 20 minutes. Visitors report about Rs 40 for a round trip on the government ferry and about Rs 200 on a private boat. Fares and timings vary, so check locally.
Navagraha Temple
Roughly 10 to 11 km (approximate)
- A temple of the nine planets on Chitrachal Hill in east Guwahati, long seen as a seat of astrology and astronomy. It has nine Shiva lingas covered in cloths of different colours.
Ugratara Temple
Roughly 9 to 10 km (Uzanbazar, approximate)
- An important Shakti Peetha in the old part of Guwahati, by the Jorpukhuri ponds. Sources describe the Goddess as Ugra Tara, a fierce form of Tara, sometimes identified with Kali.
Festivals & culture
Maa Kamakhya Devalaya follows a rich annual calendar of Shakta festivals and Assamese observances. Ambubachi Mela, Sharadiya Durga Puja, Manasa Puja with the Deodhani festival, and Pohan Biya are the temple's most distinctive celebrations, alongside Kali Pujas, the spring Deul festivals and Bohag Bihu. Festival dates follow the Hindu calendar and vary each year.
Ambubachi Mela
June
The temple's greatest festival, marking the Goddess's annual menstruation at the onset of the monsoon. The doors close for three days and reopen on the fourth day after a ritual bath, and pieces of red cloth (Raktavastra) are given to devotees. In 2026 the Mela ran from 22 to 26 June, and 7,96,777 devotees visited, according to the Assam Tourism Minister.
Additional information
Maa Kamakhya Devalaya
The temple is managed through the Maa Kamakhya Devalaya. According to the official site, the Bardeuri Samaj, made up of four families, holds the customary right to run its religious and secular affairs through elected Doloi(s). Rituals are performed by the Shebait priests. The official website maakamakhya.org lists an executive committee headed by the Bor-Doloi, so check it for the current office-bearers.
Maa Kamakhya Devalaya Address
O/o The Doloi, Maa Kamakhya Devalaya, Nilachal Hill, Kamakhya, Guwahati - 781010, Assam, India.
Temple Office Phone
Phone: 0361-2734654 / 0361-2734655 - Temple office. Confirm the numbers on the official site before calling.
Temple Office Email
info@maakamakhyadevalaya.org / maakamakhyadevalaya@gmail.com
Official Online Booking Portals
Special darshan (Rs 501): mkdonline.co.in. Defence personnel: defence.mkdonline.in. Free general queue: mkdonlinegenq.in. All are linked from maakamakhya.org. Offline counter booking for special darshan was discontinued from 15 June 2026. Check the official site for current booking notices.
Official Websites Only
The Devalaya lists maakamakhya.org and maakamakhyadevalaya.org as its only official websites and warns that it does not conduct online pujas or authorise any platform to do so.
Tobacco-Free and Footwear Rules
The complex has been a tobacco-free zone since 1 January 2016. Footwear is not allowed beyond the main entrance.
Ambubachi Mela Arrangements
During Ambubachi, the temple closes for three days. In 2026, special darshan and defence entry were not available on 26 and 27 June, and footwear had to be left at camps on the approach road. The administration and Guwahati Police set up pilgrim camps, shuttles and traffic restrictions, and the arrangements change each year.
Maa Kamakhya Access Corridor
A corridor project of about Rs 498 crore, with a foundation laid in February 2024, is meant to improve access and amenities. The Gauhati High Court cleared it on 13 February 2026, after studies vetted by IIT Guwahati, and the Chief Minister said construction would resume soon. Check the latest news for progress.
Donations
The Devalaya's bank account details are available through its official website, maakamakhya.org. The donate page on kamakhya.org is for a separate foundation, not the Devalaya.
Important Visitor Advisory
Verify timings, ticket availability, prices, festival arrangements, traffic restrictions and parking conditions immediately before travel.
Temple facilities
Online Darshan Booking
Special darshan (Rs 501), defence entry and free general queue passes can be booked online through the Devalaya's official portals, linked from <a href="https://www.maakamakhya.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">maakamakhya.org</a>.
Footwear Rules
Footwear is not allowed beyond the main entrance. During Ambubachi 2026, devotees had to deposit footwear at designated points on the approach road before going up to the temple, and counters could have queues of over an hour on peak days. For regular days, ask at the temple.
Drinking Water and Sanitation
During Ambubachi 2026, the district administration arranged drinking water at multiple points along the route, along with sanitation facilities and public conveniences. I found no published details of regular-day facilities.
Daily Bhog Distribution
Cooked bhog is offered to the Goddess every day while the doors are closed from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM, and it is then distributed among devotees. Ask at the temple for the serving point.
CCTV and Crowd Control
More than 50 CCTV cameras were installed across the temple premises for Ambubachi 2026. Crowds are managed by temple authorities and police, especially during festivals.
Multi-Level Car Parking
A multi-level car park for about 200 cars, built under the PRASHAD scheme, serves visitors driving up Nilachal Hill. Parking on the hill road is short, so allow extra time.
Puja Supply Shops
Shops along the approach sell flowers, coconuts, red cloth and other puja items for offering at the shrine.
Ambubachi Pilgrim Camps
During Ambubachi 2026, the district administration set up transit camps at Kamakhya Railway Station and Pandu Port, with more camps at other locations. They provided food, drinking water, medical help, rest and luggage storage. Arrangements were made for elderly and differently-abled devotees, and shuttles and ferries ran from designated points. Community feasts (bhandaras) were not permitted on Kamakhya Hill during the mela.
Emergency services
India Emergency Response
Not location-specific
Contact
112
- Call 112 for urgent police, medical or fire help through India's integrated emergency response system. This is the standard national number; confirm it before publishing.
Top picks
Traditional Assamese Thali
A typical thali includes steamed rice, alu pitika (mashed potato with mustard oil, chillies and onion), chutneys, bhaji, dal, khar, masor tenga and seasonal pickles. Khoorika on G S Road, Ulubari serves a well-known thali with barbecued meat and kheer for dessert. Paradise is another popular restaurant for Assamese food, with bamboo and regional decor.
Masor Tenga (Sour Fish Curry)
A mildly spiced, tangy fish curry eaten with rice; "tenga" means sour in Assamese. Delicacy restaurant in Guwahati is known for its version of this dish.
Khar
A signature Assamese dish made with alkali, with a distinctive taste.
Pitha and Jolpan
Pitha is a rice cake made with rice flour, coconut, jaggery and sesame, and can be tried at Jolpan restaurant in Guwahati. Jolpan is the traditional Assamese breakfast; tekeli pitha (steamed rice pancakes) is made fresh at roadside stalls.
Visitor guide
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU)
Approximately 20 km
- The main airport of Guwahati and of Northeast India, also called Guwahati International Airport. It is well connected to major Indian cities and a few international ones, such as Bangkok and Paro. Taxis, app cabs and buses connect it with the city centre.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It is located on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam, India, near the southern bank of the Brahmaputra (PIN 781010).
Goddess Kamakhya, a form of Shakti also called Kameshwari, is worshipped here. She is identified with Tripura Sundari, and Matangi and Kamala share her Peetha.
Yes. It is revered as one of the most sacred and oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas, where the yoni of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen.
No. The Goddess is worshipped as a natural yoni-shaped rock cleft in the cave-like sanctum, kept moist by an underground spring.
The present temple was rebuilt in 1565 by Koch king Naranarayana with his brother Chilarai. The Natmandir was added in 1759 by Ahom king Rajeswar Singha.
On regular days, the temple opens at 8:00 AM, closes at 1:00 PM for the bhog offering, reopens at 2:30 PM and closes at 5:15 PM. Aarati is held at 7:30 PM. Timings change on festival days.
General queue darshan is free. Special darshan costs Rs 501 per person and is booked online through the Devalaya's official portal.
It is the temple's biggest annual festival, held in June, marking the Goddess's menstruation. The temple closes for three days and reopens on the fourth day after a ritual bath.
No. Photography is not permitted inside the temples of Kamakhya Hill.
No formal dress code is published, but devotees are advised to wear modest, decent clothing. Footwear is not allowed beyond the main entrance.
No. The Devalaya has stated that it does not conduct online pujas or authorise any website or app to do so. Only darshan passes are booked online through its official portals.
Devotees receive sindoor at the Peetha and bhog prasad, usually khichdi, after the midday offering. During Ambubachi, the Angabastra (sacred red cloth) and Angodak (sacred water) are regarded as special blessings.
Kamakhya Junction and Guwahati Railway Station are about 7-8 km away, and Guwahati airport is about 20 km away. Taxis, app cabs and buses go to the hill, and cars can drive up to the temple parking.
Check the official website, maakamakhya.org, and its latest notices before travelling, especially around Ambubachi and Durga Puja.