Kamakhya Temple
কামাখ্যা মন্দিৰ
A Shakta pilgrimage site on Nilachal Hill, the most important of India's 51 Shakti Peethas, with a distinctive beehive-shaped dome.
Kamakhya Temple stands on Nilachal Hill on the western outskirts of Guwahati. It is dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya and is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites of Shaktism in Hinduism. The surviving main shrine was rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries under the Koch dynasty; its beehive-shaped dome and carved stone walls blend local styles. The underground sanctum has no statue, only a rock kept moist by a spring. Regular queues are free but can take hours, and fast-track tickets are available to shorten the wait. Photography is prohibited inside the shrine, and shoes must be removed. Animal sacrifice rituals still take place here, which sensitive visitors should be aware of. From the city it takes about 30 minutes by taxi to reach the hilltop, and the nearby Bhuvaneswari Temple overlooks the whole city and the Brahmaputra River.
Opening hours
Approx. 05:30–22:00 (hall closed at midday for offerings; holiday hours vary)
Nearby sights
- Fancy Bazaar
- Umananda Island (Peacock Island)
- Dighalipukhuri
- Assam State Museum
- Brahmaputra River Cruise
- Deepor Beel
- Navagraha Temple
- Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden