The Maa Kamakhya Devi Rajswala Festival is one of the most revered celebrations in Assam, drawing thousands of devotees to the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. This festival marks the annual menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya, symbolizing fertility and the power of creation. If you’re seeking a detailed puja vidhi (worship procedure) for this sacred occasion, this guide will walk you through the rituals, mantras, and spiritual significance with devotion and authenticity.
Introduction to Maa Kamakhya Devi and Rajswala Festival
Maa Kamakhya, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, is worshipped as the Goddess of desire and feminine energy. The Rajswala Festival, also known as Ambubachi Mela, occurs during the monsoon season (typically June) when the temple remains closed for three days. It is believed that the Goddess undergoes her menstrual cycle during this time, and the earth becomes fertile. On the fourth day, the temple reopens with grand celebrations, and devotees receive the prasad (blessed offering) of a red cloth soaked in the Goddess’s sacred fluid.
Significance of Rajswala Festival
- Represents the divine feminine energy (Shakti) and fertility.
- Celebrates the natural biological process as sacred and powerful.
- Devotees believe that receiving the prasad brings blessings of prosperity and protection.
Maa Kamakhya Devi Rajswala Festival Puja Vidhi
Performing the puja with devotion and purity is essential. Below is a step-by-step guide to the puja vidhi for the Rajswala Festival.
Pre-Puja Preparations
- Cleanliness: Take a holy bath before starting the puja.
- Attire: Wear clean, preferably red or white, clothes.
- Puja Items: Gather essentials like flowers, incense, lamps, fruits, and red cloth (for prasad).
- Mantra Chanting: Begin with the Kamakhya Dhyana Mantra to invoke the Goddess’s presence.
Step-by-Step Puja Procedure
1. Sankalpa (Sacred Vow)
Begin by taking a vow (sankalpa) to perform the puja with pure intentions. Chant:
“Om Shri Kamakhya Devi Namah, Aham Rajswala Puja Karishye”
2. Invocation (Avahana)
Light a ghee lamp and incense sticks. Offer flowers while chanting:
“Om Aim Hreem Kleem Kamakhya Devi Namah”
3. Offering (Naivedya)
- Place fruits, sweets, and red hibiscus flowers at the altar.
- Offer a red cloth symbolizing the Goddess’s menstrual cycle.
4. Mantra Japa (Chanting)
Recite the Kamakhya Beej Mantra 108 times:
“Om Kleem Kamakhya Devi Namah”
5. Aarti and Prayer
Perform the Kamakhya Aarti with devotion. Conclude with a heartfelt prayer for blessings.
6. Prasad Distribution
Distribute the offered fruits and red cloth as prasad among devotees.
Spiritual Significance of the Rituals
The Rajswala Festival is not just a ritual but a celebration of the divine feminine. The red cloth symbolizes the Goddess’s creative energy, and receiving it is believed to:
- Remove obstacles and bring prosperity.
- Bless childless couples with fertility.
- Purify the mind and soul.
The Maa Kamakhya Devi Rajswala Festival Puja Vidhi is a profound spiritual practice that honors the Goddess’s sacred energy. By following these steps with devotion, devotees connect with the divine and receive her boundless blessings. May Maa Kamakhya shower her grace upon all who seek her with a pure heart.
Jai Maa Kamakhya!