The Kamdeva legend: The legend has it that when Kamdeva- Rati’s huband was reduced to ashes by the fire spewed out third eye of Lord Shiva . Kamdeva's wife, Rati pleaded before Lord Shiva and told him that this was not Kamdeva’s fault at all as he was told to do so by the Gods and asked him to to kindly revive Kaamadeva. Being an embodiment of love himself, Lord Shiva gladly accepted to do so and he gave life to Kamdeva. However, Kamdeva’s earlier beauty was gone. Then both Rati & Kamdeva started praying Lord Shiva again to restore Kamdeva into his original self. The Lord then advised Kamdeva to find the sacred Yoni Mudra in Nilachal Parvat & worship Devi there, only then he would be able to regain his beauty. After many years of meditation, Kamdeva finally succeeded to get Devi’s blessings and also to get back his lost beauty. A grateful Kamdeva then erected a magnificent temple over the Yoni Mudra with the help of Vishakarma. The region later came to be known as Kamarupa as Kamdeva regained his beauty or Rupa here.

“Kalika Puran” one of most sacred text for the “Shakta” sect written around the 9th century provides a mythical story about the origin of the temple. It mentioned Nilachala in ancient Kamrup is the spot where the Lord Siva and Shakti used to meet their physical desire i.e. Kama. The “Kalika Puran”contains many details about Kamakhya Temple.

Kalika Puran related Naraka whose father was Lord Vishnu and mother was Dharitri with the Kamakhya Temple. After spending his childhood in Mithila, Naraka was believed to have come to Pragjoytisha at the order of his father Lord Vishnu. Naraka defeated the Kiratas, who were believed to be the earliest worshipper of Goddess Kamakhya; led by their King Ghatak. Though initially Naraka was a follower of Goddess Kamakhya but later under the influence of Banasura, king of Sonitpur, he developed negative qualities. Naraka said to have prevented sage Vasistha from having darshan of the deity, because of which Vasistha cursed both the Goddess and Naraka. When the atrocities committed by Naraka rose too much, Lord Vishnu had to intervene and kill him.

The “Yogini Tantra”, another ancient literature believed to be written around 16th century where the mention about Goddess Kamakhya is found. In the “Yogini Tantra”,the legend relating to the emergence of Kamakhya as a symbol of procreation. The episode described in “Yogini Tantra” goes like this.

Lord Brahma after creating the universe, became arrogant because of his power of supreme creativity. This prompted Goddess Sanatani Kali to teach him a lesson. She created a demon called Kesi out of Brahma’s body. As soon as he was born, the demon rushed towards Brahma to swallow him up. Brahma fled in the company of Vishnu. Brahma soon realized his sin and approached the Goddess for help along with Vishnu. The Goddess then came to his rescue and killed the demon. The Goddess then told Brahma and Vishnu to create a mountain over the dead body of demon Kesi ; where there would be grass for cattle and she also told them that Kamarupa is the most sacred place on earth. Brahma and Vishnu were told to offer prayer meditate in front of the Yonimandala (female genital) that came to appear subsequently. The place was being called as Nilakuta Parvat or Nilachala.

There is another story about the origin of the temple which is related to Koch King Viswa Singha. During the fight with the Ahoms, Viswa Singha and his brother Siva Singha lost their ways and reached the top of Nilachala Hill. They met an old woman who showed them the Pithasthan of Goddess Kamakhya and requested them to construct a temple with gold there. The King offered his prayers and promised that if his wishes are fulfilled then he will definitely do it. Accordingly after his wishes got fulfilled, king Viswa Singha tried to build one temple with bricks but that did not work. The Devi then came in his dream and reminded him about his commitment to build the temple with gold only. The king pleaded to the Devi mentioning his inability to do so and then the Devi advised him to put at least little amount of gold with the bricks. After this the temple was built which was later destroyed. The exact reason is not known. Some say it was demolished by Kalapahar, a Muslim invader while many scholars link this to be caused by some sort of natural calamity.

After this, the great Koch King Naranarayan who became the successor to Viswa Singha along with his brother Chilarai rebuilding the temple over the ruins of the earlier one.

In conclusion, it can be said the the Kalika Purna gives an enormous interpretation of the Yoni Goddess, the Yogini Tantra gives a different account stressing creative symbolism of Yoni. The various historical legends indicate that worship of Kamakhya is undatable. She has been a converging point of all the communities be it of the hills, forest, villages or cities.