Minor temples, Kamakhya

Siddhi Ganesh

There are numerous smaller temples on Nilanchal mountain. All these are walkable distance from the main shrine. Some of these temples are are very scenic and receive only a handful of devotees.

This blog will serve as a direction map for those planning to visit the smaller temples at Kamakhya

Shiva temples

1) Kameshwar : This temple is beside Chinnamasta temple and is situated in the same compound.

2) Siddheshwar : Walk down from the main temple. After reaching the end of the stairs (after passing Chinnamasta) keep walking ahead. Leave the tarmac road and follow the flight of steps that lead to the bottom of the mountain. Siddheshwar is approx 100 meters on the left opposite the cremation grounds.

Koti Ling

3) Amritakeshwar : Enter the Kamakhya temple and exit through the rear entrance. Keep following the cemented road for about 500 mtrs. Temple is on the right side on the curve of the road. Opposite  Amritakeshwar temple is Durga Kund.

4) Herukh : Inside Bahairavi templea

5) Koti Ling : While walking down from the Kamakhya temple, the road divides into two near a big tree. Take the road to the left. This will lead into cemented road with shops on the left and Chinnamasta temple to the right. Again, take the first left. Follow the cemented steps and will ultimately lead to Koti Ling. Free lunch is served only on mondays. Come here early in the morning to get spectacular views of Brahmaputra river below.

Durga temples

Lalita Kanta

1) Vana Durga (Forest Durga) : Coming down to Gauhati on the aphsalt road follow the flight of steps near the hairpin bend. There is a "lookout point" beside the steps.

2) Jai Durga : Follow the tarmac road down from Kamakhya temple and keep walking beyond Vana Durga. When I went there construction of stairs was in full swing towards the temple. The stairs can easily be missed as it is not sign posted.

3) Lalita Kanta : Follow the tarmac road down after Jai durga. After "Yatri Nivas" guest house there is a flight of steps to the right. This leads to Lalita Kanta. The temple is on the left and can easily be missed.

Dwarpalika Temples: In the distant past there were four flights of steps to reach Kamakhya. Two steps lead from Brahmaputra river and the other two start around Malegaon. At the entrance to these are positioned the dwarpalika temples (Gatekeeper temples). Three of these are Ganesha temples and 1 temple is dedicated to Hanuman. The tarmac road we now use is a new addition and hence does not have a dwarpalika temple beside it.

Hanuman temple entrance from Brahmaputra river

1) Siddhi Ganesh - Follow the steps down after Koti Ling. The steps lead to Siddhi Ganesh. Beside Siddhi Ganesh is Panch Mudi. Many people believe that Panch Mudi is the ultimte place to be for meditation practice.

2) Follow the road beside Siddeshwar temple. At the bottom of the mountain beside a huge tree is the second dwarpalika temple. An easier way to get there would be to go to Kamakhya gate by share taxi. Walk up on the tarmac road and turn left at the first flight of steps. The temple has lord Ganesha as the deity.

Hanuman temple

3) Enter the main Kamakhya temple and leave through the rear entrance. After the rear entrance turn left and follow the steep steps down to Malegaon. Lord Ganesha is the Dwarpalika in this temple.

4) Hanuman temple : Follow the road after Amratakeshwar temple. After a while turn to the right on to the mud road. There are no directions to the temple and the exit can easily be missed. The huge temple will be visible on the right. Perhaps, this is the most secluded of all the temples. It stands in splendid isolation besides the Brahmaputra and receives very little visitors

Kali Temple

Kali temple : After Amritakeshwar on the left side of the road in the hillock is a small Kali temple. Turn left immediately after Durga Kund. The road is not cemented and can be slippery. One can see spectacular views of of Malegaon from this hillock

Kali temple