KAMAKYA TOUR

We had organized a tour of Kamakya in Assam from 19th, June 2003 for about fifteen days, and we by this notice are appraising our members and others of the thrills and some facts of theYatra, and share the happiness and pleasure. 

Kamakya is the abode for Goddess Parvathi called as UMA and the greatness of this place is that the idol gets its period like any other woman.

The temple is in a cave on the top of a small hillock and the river Brahmaputhra is flowing under the cave. The idol is only up to Kummer (iduppu in Tamil) i.e. from the hip down covering the portion thereof but up to half of the leg. And the name of the temple itself means the same.

The belief goes like this that Goddess Parvathi (UMA) defied her husband Shiva (UMANATH) and came to attend the yagna of Daksha. Being denied the respect and place of honour for both Shiva and Uma she wanted to offer herself to the fire out of rage and anger. Brahma, being afraid of the entire universe coming into a disastrous end tried to calm down but with no result. Finally to minimize the disaster he made the body to disintegrate and threw them all over the Universe. Whereas the kummer fell in the place called Kamakya now, the breast fell in Mausthan, which is in the border of Bengal and Bihar. The thumb i.e. Angul had fallen in Kalighatt in Kolkatta and the location of the head is still not known though it is supposed to be in Dakshineshwar in Kolkatta.

Though some claim that they have witnessed the event of the menses period the temple officials said that it can not be so and that they get the symptoms when the water in the cave turns the colour of blood and the temple is closed for about four to fivedays. The Garbhagriha is closed and it is believed that devotee’s presence in the temple itself is

Holly. It is not only the temple at Kamakya but all the temples in Guwahati and surrounding places are closed and is not open for darshan till the temple is opened at Kamakya.Some billions from far off and nearby places make it a point to visit the temple during this period and also when the temple is opened.

The entire temple, which is closed, is opened for public only after the entire area is 

Cleaned with water. Which is available in abundance, and the same procedure is followed.

Kamakya is in Guwahati, Assam and is reachable either by train directly from Chennai or through Calcutta. It is advisable to get the information on the closure of the temple due the above mentioned reasons or else be prepared to spend some days in Guwahati or Kolkatta.Of course there are many places in Kolkatta like Dakshineswar, Belurmuth, Kalighat, and Birla Mandhir.Planetorium…. etc and in Guwahati places like Vasishta Ashram, Jwalamukhi, and above all Balaji Temple.The grateness of Balaji Temple is that the place with wonderful hilly background and beautiful surroundings was chosen by non other than the greatest saint ,

`` PARAMACHARYA SHRI KANCHI PERIYAVAL HIS HOLINESS CHANDRASEKERANDRAR, EVER LIVING GOD``

Visitors should also be prepared for botheration from vendors, eunachs, and beggars during travel and also Pandas at the temple and mad lawless unreserved and with no ticket holders during the journey from Kamakya to Kolkatta.

This temple is just like the one at Chenganur in Kerala wherein the same event takes place but the difference is that whereas the temple is closed completely in Chengannur the Garbagriha only is closed at Kamakya.

There is also a belief that there is a way under the river Brahmaputhra from Kamakya to Umanath temple, which is situated in the middle of the river. Journey through the river is the most enjoyable and lovable event for any traveler, which he has to undertake if he has to visit the Umanath temple. Incidentally the place where (thodai in tamil) i.e. above the knee and below the hip is called Nainee.

We pray and wish the travelers to Kamakya an enjoyable and good trip.


sd.

Shri Venkataraman Guruswami

President.

A.R.Balasubramanian.

Secretary