The Kamakhya temple situated atop the Nilachal hills in Guwahati is one of the 108 shakti peeths. This is the place where Sati’s womb and vagina fell when Lord Shiva went berserk on knowing of her death and performed a tandav with her dead body on his shoulders.

This temple does not have an idol of Kamakhya Devi, but the devotees are led towards a small room with a subterranean pool where the goddess’s organ is kept covered with a red cloth. Every year during Asaad (June), the temple remains shut for three days, when it is believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through her annual menstruation cycle. It is said that the pool of water where her uterus fell turns red during these three days. On the fourth day, the temple opens with much fanfare and celebration to the Ambubasi Mela.

Where: Around 10 km from Guwahati railway station