India Guide
The Northeast
Kamakhya Temple
Address: Nilachal Hill, 8km west of the centre; buses can be picked up along MG Rd
On the commanding Nilachal Hill, overlooking the river, the important Kali temple of Kamakhya, with its beehive-shaped shikhara, is a good example of the distinctive Assamese style of architecture. As one of the shakti pithas, it marks the place where Sati's yoni (vulva) landed when her body fell to earth in 51 pieces, and is one of the three most important Tantric temples in India. Animal sacrifice is part of the ritual here and kid goats are bathed in the ceremonial tank before being led to slaughter. A short walk up the hill brings you to a smaller temple with wonderful views of Guwahati and the Brahmaputra.