Puja, Rituals, & Festivals at Kamakhya 

Unique Religious Practices of Kamakhya Temples’ Complex

The ritualistic, socio-religious, and socio-cultural structure of the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex represents a system unlike anywhere else in India or the world. Puja, Rituals, and some of the Festivals and Ceremonies performed in the temple and/or in the homes of the Shebait Priests are restricted to the Shebait Priests, while other socio-religious Festivals and Ceremonies are performed by the Shebait families. In addition to the daily rituals, the Kamakhya Temple Complex celebrates a number of pujas, rituals, festivals, and ceremonies that have a unique and distinctive character. Some of these include:

Kumaripuja – Worship of Virgin Girls

Historical Significance of Kumaripuja

Kumaripuja (worship of virgin girls) is celebrated primarily at Kamakhya and in Nepal. Kumaripuja is intrinsically connected to the religious system of the Kamakhya Temple’s Complex and is performed with a unique style and process. It is performed at an individual or group level, according to the prescription of the Naimittika Puja performed in the temples of Kamakhya, or as per the desire of the devotee. When performed by devotees, the Kumaripuja is conducted by the devotee himself or herself, with the guidance and assistance of a Shebait Priest.

According to local history, Kumaripuja became an inseparable part of the tradition of Kamakhya from the time of Koch King Naranarayana, who renovated (or re-built) the Kamakhya temple in 1565 CE and initiated pujas for all the deities of the Kamakhya Temple’s Complex according to the Kulachara Tantra Marga. The Kumaripuja is associated with all major festivals, pujas, and rituals of the Kamakhya Temple’s Complex. For devotees in general, this ritual is performed regularly as per their personal preference, irrespective of any particular or auspicious day.

Ambubachi – Festival of Devi’s Menstruation

Significance of Ambubachi Festival

Ambubachi is the most important ritualistic festival of Kamakhya. This festival celebrates the annual menstruation of Devi Kamakhya during the onset of monsoon, typically from June 21/22 to 25/26. The temples remain closed for three days, and on the fourth day, they reopen with great fanfare. Over 10,00,000 devotees from around the world attend the festival.

A prevalent belief connected with the celebration of Ambubachi is that the pieces of red cloth used in the Devi Peetha during the three-day period are considered highly beneficial and auspicious for a devotee. Hence, receiving a piece of this red cloth used in the Devi Peetha is considered to be of great value by devotees. The distribution of this red cloth, known as Raktavastra, takes place after Ambubachi for visiting pilgrims.

Millions of pilgrims from all over the world visit Kamakhya to attend the festival. As the temple remains closed for three days, this period is observed as a Mela (fair) outside the temple. During these three days, the entire Kamakhya Temples’ Complex comes alive with continuous Kirtan and Bhajan. When the door is opened on the fourth day, thousands of devotees gather for Darshan and to receive the blessings of the Divine Mother.

 Manasa Puja and Debadhanni – Festival of Ecstasy

Ritualistic Dance of Ecstasy

Celebrated from August 17-20, Manasa Puja or the worship of the Snake Goddess and Debaddhani is one of the most interesting ritualistic festivals of Kamakhya. Elaborate Puja is offered to Devi Manasa during the three days of the festival. The focus of this festival is the ritualistic dance of ecstasy performed by the Debadhannis—men possessed by the different deities of the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex who become vehicles of the deities.

The term Debaddhani has been derived from the Sanskrit word “deva,” meaning God or deity, and “dhvani,” meaning sound or echo. This popular term literally means the echo or utterings of a deity, but its local connotation is much wider. It conveys the idea of a conceptually ritualistic dance of ecstasy performed by the vehicles of the deities who possess their favourite persons.

The Debaddhanis dance in a state of trance possession for three days with minimal rest, performing incredible feats such as dancing with bare feet on sharpened blades of swords. Thousands of devotees attend for a chance to have a glimpse and receive blessings from the living vehicles of the deities.

Pohan Biya – Symbolic Marriage Ceremony

Rituals of Pohan Biya

In Pohan Biya, the symbolic marriage ceremony is performed between Kameshwara and Kameshwari at Kamakhya on the 2nd/3rd day of the bright half of Pausha (December-January). On the previous day of the marriage, the idol of Kameshwara is taken out from the Chalata hall of the Kamakhya Temple to the temple of Kameshwara Shiva, and some pre-marriage rituals are performed during the process, after which Kameshwara rests for the night. On the day of the marriage, the idol of Kameshwari is taken to the Panch Ratna hall from the Chalanta hall of the Kamakhya Temple. Following this, Kameshwara as the bridegroom reaches the Panch Ratna hall of the Kamakhya Temple with ritualistic fun-fair like that of humans. In the Panch Ratna hall, the marriage ceremony of Kameshwara and Kameshwari is performed according to the prevailing customs of Kamakhya. The Shebait Priest, Balikata, and Bharali perform the roles of the father, mother, and brother of Kameshwari, respectively.

 Rituals During Sharadiya Durga Puja

 Rituals During Sharadiya Durga Puja

Although the autumn celebration of Durga Puja and Navaratri are pan-Indian festivals, Sharadiya Durga Puja is celebrated in a unique way at the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex. No Murtis (idols) are worshipped at Kamakhya; instead, the Peetha and the temple of Devi Kamakhya are lavishly decorated.

Sharadiya Durga Puja is performed for 15 days in a stretch at Kamakhya, starting from the Navami of the dark half till the Navami of the bright half of the Moon in the month of Ashwina. During this period, Puja of Devi Durga is performed, the Chandi (Durga Saptasati) is recited, and a special Kumaripuja (worship of virgin girls) is performed each day.

Krishna Deul and Gopal Deul (Holi)

Celebration of Phakua (Holi)

Lord Krishna is worshipped as Lord Gopala on the previous day of Phalguna Purnima (March) in his temple at Kamakhya. After the Puja is completed, the Shebaits of Kamakhya play Holi with colour or phakua by singing devotional folk songs (specific to Kamakhya), and after the Bhoga (cooked offerings) is offered in the Kamakhya Temple, Lord Gopala is toured in a procession around the Kamakhya Temple in a Dola or Palki. When the Dola or Palkin (Sway) is taken around the Kamakhya Temple, the Shebaits joining in the procession sing Holi songs, and women & children of the Shebaits offer colour or phakua to the touring Lord Gopala. On the next day, i.e. the day of Phalguna Purnima, the same feats of activities from the previous day are observed.

Durga Deul – Ritualistic Processions

Durga Deul Celebrations at Kamakhya

Durga Deul is observed from Dwitiya (2nd day) to Panchami (5th day) of the bright half month of Phalguna (February-March) at Kamakhya. During this period, Devi Kameshwari is placed on a Dola or Palkin (Sway), and special Meshdah Puja & Rituals are performed on Dwitiya (2nd day), and Dolan Puja is performed on the subsequent days until Panchami (5th day) in the Chalanta hall of the Kamakhya Temple. On the sixth day, Devi Kameshwari is taken for Bhramana on the Dola or Palkin (Sway) in a procession around the Kamakhya Temple. Shebaits and devotees participating in the Bhramana play with colour by singing devotional folk songs (specific to Kamakhya).

Madan Deul (Kama Deul)

Celebration of Kamadeva

Madan Deul is also called the Kama Deul. This deul is observed from the 13th day until the Full Moon in the month of Chaitra (March-April). Special Puja is offered to Kameshwara in the form of Kamadeva. On the Full Moon Day, after performing special Puja & Rituals, Devi Kameshwari is taken for Bhramana on the Dola or Palkin (Sway) in a procession around the Kamakhya Temple. Shebaits and devotees participating in the Bhramana play with colour (carried in the bag made of skin of the he-goat sacrificed on the occasion called Matak) with the idol as well as amongst themselves by singing devotional folk songs (specific to Kamakhya).

Vasanti Puja – Spring Festival

Special Rituals During Vasanti Puja

Vasanti Puja is performed during the Chaitra Navaratri (March-April). This Puja is performed in the Peetha of Devi Kamakhya from Saptami (7th day) till Navami (9th day) of the bright half of the month of Chaitra (March-April). On Navami (9th day), special Puja is held in all the Devi Temples of the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex.

Ratanti Kali Puja

Worship of Devi Kali

Special Puja & Rituals are performed for Devi Kali in the Kamakhya Temple and Kali Temple in the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex on the Amavashya (New Moon Day) of the month of Margashirsha (January-February).

Shravana (Dakshinayana) Sangkranti Kali Puja

Puja Timing and Rituals for Devi Dakshina Kali

An elaborate Puja & Rituals for Devi Dakshina Kali is performed from the evening at around 7:00 PM till very late night (2:30-3:00 AM) in the Kali Temple of the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex.

Phalahari Kali Puja

Annual Phalaharini Kali Puja

On the Amavashya (New Moon Day) of the month of Jaistha (May-June), Phalaharini Kali Puja is performed at the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex.

Shyama Kali Puja

Elaborate Worship of Devi Shyama Kali

Elaborate Puja & Rituals are performed for Devi Shyama Kali on the Amavashya (New Moon Day) of the month of Kartika (October-November) in the Kamakhya Temple and Kali Temple of the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex

Lakshmi Puja

Rituals on Lakshmi Puja Day

Lakshmi Puja is performed at the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex on the Purnima (Full Moon Day) of the month of Ashwina (September-October).

Saraswati Puja

Worship of the Goddess of Knowledge

This Puja is performed at the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex on Shukla Panchami (5th day of bright half) of the month of Margashirsha (January-February).

Sri Krishna Janmashtami

Celebrations of Sri Krishna’s Birth

Janmashtami is celebrated in the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex on the 8th day of the dark-half of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). Elaborate Puja & Rituals are offered to Sri Krishna in the evening, and a host of earthen lamps are kept burning throughout the night. During the Puja, female members of the Shebait family sing devotional songs in praise of Sri Krishna.

Katyayani Vrata

Exclusive Rituals of Female Devotees

Katyayani Vrata is observed for three days starting from Aghrayana Chaturdasi (14th day of dark-half of the month of Aghrayana, i.e. November-December) to Aghrayana Pratipada (1st day of the bright half of the month of Aghrayana, i.e. November-December). The Vrata starts on the day of Aghrayana Chaturdasi and the primary rituals are performed on the day of Aghrayana Purnima (Full Moon Day of the month of Aghrayana, i.e. November-December) and it ends on the Aghrayana Pratipada.

This Vrata in actuality is a Puja & Ritual exclusively performed by the female members of the Shebait families of Kamakhya of the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex to worship Devi Katyayani or Devi Durga. The main Puja & Rituals of the Katyayani Vrata is observed on the day of Aghrayana Purnima.

Mythologically, Devi Katyayani means Devi Durga and in this Vrata, Devi Durga is worshipped in her sixth Rupas (forms) as Devi Katyayani. The Katyayani Vrata is also known as Chorai Vrata as golden-coloured clay birds in small sizes are made to decorate the altar of Devi Katyayani. As per oral history, the origin of Katyayani Vrata, the people of Kamakhya believe that the Vrata was first observed by Radha and her companions in Braja Dhama. According to the legend of this oral history, when Radha and her companions were bathing in a Sarovara (lake), they observed this Vrata to get back their clothes, which were stolen by the playful Sri Krishna. This legend of Katyayani can also be found in the Brahmabaivarta Purana.

The women of Kamakhya also believe that Radha observed Katyayani Vrata to get Sri Krishna as her husband. In the Puja & Rituals performed in the Katyayani Vrata, Puja is also offered to Devi Saraswati, Devi Kamakhya, and Devi Lakshmi. During the courses of the Katyayani Vrata, the participating women also offer a traditional Puja to the Moon.

In the Katyayani Vrata, only the female members of the Shebait families of Kamakhya can participate irrespective of their marital status, but a widow or girls below five years of age are not allowed to participate. In Kamakhya, a girl below the age of five years is regarded as the Devi itself. The women of Nilachala Hills observe the Katyayani Vrata to fulfill their desires, like getting a suitable groom by the unmarried or wishing for peace and prosperity for their husband, brother, etc.

Deul Vrata or Deul Puja

Month-Long Observance by Virgin Girls

This Vrata is observed by the virgin girls of the Shebait families of the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex for one month from Margashirsha Sankranti (mid-January) to Phalguna Sangkranti (mid-February). To observe this Vrata, the virgin girls prepare two pairs of earthen Shivalinga, called BATS locally. During the entire month, the girls get up before sunrise and collect various flowers and go to Saubhagya Kunda of Kamakhya with the Shivalinga. The girls bathe the Shivalinga in the Saubhagya Kunda and offer the flowers by singing devotional songs specific to the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex. After worshipping the Shivalinga, the virgin girls also worship Shaoubhagya Kunda by offering flowers.

Manantara Vrata

Secretive Women-Centric Rituals

This is a women-centric ritual of Kamakhya. The girls above five years and non-widowed members of the Shebait families of the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex observe Manantara Vrata if Amavashya (New Moon Day) falls on a Monday in any month of the year. The women members initiated in the Kulachara Tantra Marga of Kamakhya take a leading part in the Puja & Rituals of this Vrata. Performed secretly in isolation, the Puja, Rituals, and other activities of this Vrata are not disclosed.

Satha Vrata

Rituals Leading Up to Ambubachi

Satha Vrata in actuality is a Puja & Ritual exclusively performed by the female members of the Shebait families of Kamakhya of the Kamakhya Temples’ Complex. Satha Vrata starts from Krishna Dashami day of the month of Ashara, 3 days prior to Mithuna Sangkranti and 10 days prior to the onset of Ambubachi, i.e. 7^th Ashara. Satha Vrata is observed for 7 days.