Rajnath Singh, Yogi Adityanath pray at Kamakhya Temple after Sarma swearing-in
Synopsis
Minutes after Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in for a second term as Assam CM — marking the BJP-led NDA's third straight government in the state — Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UP CM Yogi Adityanath made a point of seeking blessings at the Kamakhya Temple, one of India's most sacred Shakti Peethas, blending political ceremony with spiritual symbolism in Guwahati.
Key Takeaways
Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at Kamakhya Temple , Guwahati, on 12 May after attending Assam's swearing-in ceremony.
Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as Assam Chief Minister for a second consecutive term , with the BJP-led NDA forming the government for a third straight time .
Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath; PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were present at the ceremony.
Four new ministers also took oath: Rameswar Teli , Atul Bora (AGP), Charan Boro (UPPL), and Ajanta Neog (BJP).
The Kamakhya Temple is one of India's most revered Shakti Peethas , drawing lakhs of devotees annually including during the Ambubachi Mela .
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday, 12 May visited the revered Kamakhya Temple atop the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati, offering prayers and seeking the blessings of Goddess Maa Kamakhya. The visit came immediately after both leaders attended the oath-taking ceremony of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at the Khanapara playground.
The Temple Visit
Priests at the Kamakhya Temple performed traditional rituals and welcomed the dignitaries in accordance with established temple customs. Security arrangements were heightened around the temple premises as devotees and visitors gathered to witness the arrival of the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. The visit underscored the political and spiritual significance that the ancient shrine holds for national leaders visiting Assam.
About Kamakhya Temple
The Kamakhya Temple is one of the most revered Shakti Peethas in India, dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya — an incarnation of Goddess Shakti — and holds deep significance in Tantric worship traditions. Situated atop the Nilachal Hills overlooking the Brahmaputra River, the ancient shrine draws lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad every year. The annual Ambubachi Mela, a major religious congregation celebrating divine feminine power, is considered one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the Northeast.
Sarma's Swearing-In Ceremony
Earlier in the day, Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term, with Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administering the oath of office and secrecy at a grand ceremony at Khanapara, Guwahati. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and several senior BJP and NDA leaders — marking the BJP-led NDA's third straight government in the state.
New Cabinet Members
Alongside Sarma, four other MLAs were also sworn in as Ministers: former Union Minister Rameswar Teli, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) President Atul Bora, United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) leader Charan Boro, and senior BJP leader Ajanta Neog. The inclusion of ministers from the AGP and UPPL reflects the coalition character of the NDA alliance in Assam, which registered a sweeping victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
What's Next
With the new cabinet now in place, the Sarma government is expected to outline its governance priorities for the second term in the coming days. The presence of top national leaders at both the swearing-in and the temple visit signals the Centre's continued focus on Assam as a key political and strategic state in the Northeast.
Point of View
Blending political consolidation in the Northeast with a visible assertion of Hindu cultural identity. The BJP has consistently used Kamakhya as a soft-power touchstone in Assam, and the presence of two of its most prominent leaders reinforces the party's effort to frame its governance narrative in the state through a spiritual lens. Notably, the inclusion of AGP and UPPL ministers in the cabinet signals that the NDA's Assam model is about coalition management as much as BJP dominance — a template the party may replicate elsewhere in the Northeast.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath visit Kamakhya Temple?
Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath visited the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati on 12 May to offer prayers and seek blessings after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The temple is one of India's most sacred Shakti Peethas and holds deep spiritual significance.
What is the Kamakhya Temple and why is it significant?
The Kamakhya Temple, situated atop the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati overlooking the Brahmaputra River, is one of India's most revered Shakti Peethas dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. It holds particular importance in Tantric worship traditions and attracts lakhs of devotees annually, especially during the Ambubachi Mela.
How many times has Himanta Biswa Sarma been sworn in as Assam CM?
Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as Assam Chief Minister for a second consecutive term on 12 May, making it the BJP-led NDA's third straight government in the state. Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath at the Khanapara playground in Guwahati.
Who are the new ministers in Assam's cabinet?
Four MLAs were sworn in as ministers alongside Sarma: former Union Minister Rameswar Teli, AGP President Atul Bora, UPPL leader Charan Boro, and senior BJP leader Ajanta Neog. The cabinet reflects the coalition nature of the NDA alliance in Assam.
Who attended the Assam swearing-in ceremony?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, and several Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of NDA-ruled states attended the ceremony at Khanapara, Guwahati.
