Kamakhya and the Shamanic Eye: Sacred Sculptures, Trance, and Healing in Assamese and Global Tradition

Abstract

The Kamakhya temple, situated on Nilachal Hill in Assam, represents a confluence of Shaktism, Tantra, and certain elements that show similarities to Shamanism. In my studies, I found Kamakhya to be a sacred space where rituals of fertility, trance, and healing intersect with rich sculptural symbolism. This paper seeks to explore how the sacred sculptures of Kamakhya embody spiritual power, how trance rituals act as a medium of communication with the divine, and how these practices resonate with global shamanic traditions of healing and transcendence. By comparing Assamese traditions with worldwide shamanic practices, this study aims to shed light on the universal role of sacred art and ritual in human well-being.