Guwahati's Kamakhya Temple Draws Devotees with Unique Idol-less Durga Puja

Guwahati: The spirit of Durga Puja has engulfed Guwahati, weaving vibrant threads of celebration across the city. Amidst the myriad pandals, the venerable Kamakhya temple, perched majestically atop the Nilachal Hill in Assam’s capital, stands as a beacon of unique worship. Here, Durga Puja diverges from traditional idol worship, embracing the fervor of Shakti worship in its purest form.

In this fortnight-long spectacle, the Kamakhya temple transforms into the epicenter of spiritual devotion. The air resonates with the melodious chants of slokas, and the rhythmic rituals performed by the priests create a sacred ambiance. Initiated on the auspicious day of ‘Krishna Navami,’ the ninth day of the waning moon, the festivities reach their zenith on ‘Sukla Navami,’ the ninth day of the waxing moon, in the Hindu month of ‘Ashwin.’

What sets Kamakhya’s Durga Puja apart is its unconventional adornments. Banana stems, vibrant flowers, and lush leaves replace traditional embellishments, adding a touch of natural elegance to the celebration. Himadri Sarma, a dedicated priest at Kamakhya temple, highlights the unique fervor of this event, emphasizing the rituals and the sacred Kumari Puja (virgin worship) conducted from the first day after Navaratri through Navami.

Kabindra Prasad Sarma, the chief priest of Kamakhya temple, underlines the temple’s longstanding commitment to Durga Puja, spanning 15 days from Krishna Navami to Sukla Navami. A pivotal element of the celebration is the Kanya Puja, or Kumari Puja, held from Pratibada to Navami Tithi. What sets this ritual apart is the absence of an idol or image of Goddess Durga, making Kamakhya’s Durga Puja a truly distinctive and spiritually profound experience for the devotees who converge upon this historic temple during Navratri.