Question 3667

Where is the famous Kamakhya Temple located in India?

Answer

Assam

Why?

The correct answer is Assam . Key Points The Kamakhya Temple is one of the oldest and most revered centers of Tantric practices , situated on the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati , Assam . It is dedicated to the mother goddess Kamakhya and is considered the most important among the 51 Shakti Peethas in Hinduism , representing the spot where the yoni (womb) of Goddess Sati fell. The temple architecture is unique, known as the Nilachal type , featuring a cruciform base topped with a hemispherical dome , which was reconstructed during the Ahom Kingdom under King Naranarayan in 1565 . A significant cultural event hosted here is the Ambubachi Mela , an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the goddess's yearly menstruation cycle, attracting millions of devotees and Tantric sadhus . The inner sanctum or Garbhagriha of the temple is a small, dark cave located below ground level, which contains a natural subterranean spring flowing over a yoni-shaped fissure in the rock. Additional Information Tamil Nadu : Home to the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai , which showcases the Dravidian style of architecture with its massive Gopurams . Contains the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur , a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Raja Raja Chola I . Karnataka : Famous for the Virupaksha Temple at Hampi , part of the Vijayanagara Empire ruins. Houses the Gommateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola , a key pilgrimage site for Jainism . Odisha : Known for the Jagannath Temple in Puri , famous for the Ratha Yatra festival. Features the Konark Sun Temple , also known as the Black Pagoda , built in the 13th century .