There is a lot of mythical stories revolving around the Brahmaputra river and why it gets red once in a year? This river flows through three countries. The river is originated in Tibet, flows through India and then to Bangladesh. It has many names as well. It is called as Tsangpo in Tibet, Lohit or Brahmaputra in India, and Jamuna in Bangladesh.

There are lots of holy stories behind this river. This may provide us with the reason of why Brahmaputra river has a red tinge. But the most believed story or reason behind it is of bleeding goddess Kamakhya Devi.

It is also the fact that the Brahmaputra river gets red once in a year. Today I am going to tell you the religious reason behind it –

There is a very interesting story of Lord Shiva and Uma or Sati behind it. It is said that river turns red due to the presence of one of the 108 Shakti peeths. It was told that once Sati had a fight with her husband Lord Shiva to join her father’s Daksha grand yagna. At this great yagna, Sati’s father Daksha offended her husband. Due to this Sati got furious and felt disgrace. So, she falls into the fire and destroyed herself. When Shiva came to know that his adored wife had devoted suicide, he went senseless and mad with anger. He positioned the dead body of Sati’s on his shoulders and performed the tandav. It is also called as a dance of devastation.

Due to this the Brahma and Vishnu got tensed. And in order to cool down the rage of Shiva, he slashed the dead body with his chakra. The Sati’s body parts fell at 108 places of the country and these 108 parts popularly called as Shakti peeths. Kamakhya temple is the most special one because womb and vagina of Ma Sati fell here in Guwahati Assam.

Why name Kamakhya is given to the Goddess

There is again a religious story behind it. Once the God of love, Kamadeva had lost his manliness due to a curse. So he starting searching for the Shakti’s womb and genitals to get him freed from the curse. When he finally found, he freed himself from a curse. It is believed that it is a place where love acquires his strength. This is the reason the divinity Kamakhya devi was mounted and prayed here.

Furthermore, there are some people who also believe that this temple is actually a place where Devi Sati and Lord Shiva had their romantic instances. Because in Sanskrit lovemaking is called as ‘kama’, so its name given to this place is Kamakhya.

Kamakhya Devi also called as a bleeding goddess. Due to the presence of mythological womb and vagina of Shakti. It is apparently placed in the ‘Garvagriha’ or sanctum of the temple. It is said that in the month of June (Ashaad) the goddess bleeds or menstruates. At this time Ambubachi Mela took place here. The followers all across the world come here to attend this mela. This is the time when the Brahmaputra river flowing near Kamakhya temple turns into red color.

Brahmaputra River turns red for 3 days

This is something really unusual that every year during the month of June the river water turns red. It is believed that it is the time, Devi Kamakhya menstruates. During this time Devi temple remains closed for 3 days.

Then on the fourth day when the door got opened for the Devi Darshan, a huge celebration is performed.Also, the holy water is circulated among the devotees of Kamakhya Devi. It is also said that visiting the temple at this time and having that holy water is really auspicious. Also, the devi will fulfill all your desires and wishes.

However, there is no actual scientific proof behind this but this is something really interesting to know why once in a year it turns red. It is actually the miracle of Devi. As per some people, the priests pour scarlet pigment into the waters that make it red.

But as we know that menstruation is the sign of a woman’s originality and supremacy to give birth. So, the holy being and temple of Kamakhya rejoice this power or ‘shakti’ inside every woman.

About Kamakhya temple–

The Kamakhya temple also called as Kamrup is devoted to the tantric goddesses. Away from the goddess Kamakhya Devi, the temple also houses 10 other avatars of Kali. It includes Dhumavati, Matangi, Bagola, Tara, Kamala, Bhairavi, Chinnamasta, Bhuvaneshwari and Tripuara Sundari.

However, the presence of statue, idol or image of Devi in the temple is not there. But at the corner of the temple cave, there is casted image of the yoni or Vagina of the goddess. This is the main object of worship and devotion in this temple.

Other scientific reasons behind turning red

There are various other reasons given by people around the world in related to Brahmaputra river red color.

Some people say that there is some red algae growth that took place in the June month due to which the color of the river turns to red. But they don’t have reply why for 3 days only.

Some people even say that chemical reactions in between the minerals occur. This liberates red chemicals which makes it red. But again the same question arises. Why only for 3 days.

There are some people who gave two important reasons to it-

The first reason is that the soil of that area is rich in iron content naturally. This already gives the water a blood red like color.

The second’s reasons say that the shrine of Kamakhya is situated in the mountain. The mountains which have large deposits of Cinnabar.The chemical name of Cinnabar is mercury sulfide (HgS) and it has a blood red color which gives it a red color.

Moreover, in the Kamakhya temple rock pieces are usually sold in the name of Kamakhya or Kamiya Sindoor. It is often said that this red color sindoor has the immense ability to control the mind power. So it is also called as the Vashikaran sindoor.

This sindoor is utilized for making spiritual items. The items that protect us from your enemy, evil souls. It is also used to for resolving the problems of black magic.

In consequence, this mineral cinnabar is thus closely linked with Shakti worship. Other than Kamakhya temple there is one more temple which is situated in the areas where there are large cinnabar deposits. This is Hinglaj at Pakistan. It is named for hingula, the Sanskrit word for cinnabar.

Though these reasons are sufficient to explain why the color is red. But these facts are never able to explain Why only for a small period of time that is just for 3 days only it got red?

Furthermore, why only in the month of June? Why not for the whole year? Because if are deposits of Cinnabar and soil is rich in iron content then Brahmaputra river which is through the Kamakhya temple,e should always be red in color, but it is not so.

It is believed that it is truly the magic of goddess Kamakhya which is responsible for red color of the river.

The Kamakhya temple is realized as the symbol of woman’s power and natural functioning. The process of menstruation which is most private topic and kind of taboo in the society is differently shown here in this temple. Here this natural phenomenon of every woman is perceived with a huge respect by worshippers and followers of the Goddess. We should not forget the fact that, it is the symbol of ‘Shakti’ women strength and supremacy of giving birth that every woman across this universe possessed.

How to reach Kamakya Temple-

This Kamakhya temple is situated 6 km from the railway station of Guwahati Assam. From the station, one can lease a taxi to reach the temple. When it comes to Airport one can book a book a cab to reach the temple in a temple. It is 20 km away from an airport. Also, you can visit the official website of the temple.