Kāmākshā, also called Kāmākhyā, is the supreme Śakti-pīṭha of Bhārata. It lies on the Nīlācala hill in Kāmarūpa, which is present-day Assam. A Śakti-pīṭha is a seat of Śakti, the divine power. Here the yoni of Satīdevī fell. The Devī who is always present here is Devī Kāmākhyā, the Mahā Śakti in her most intimate and powerful form. She is linked with the granting of all desires (kāma), the gift of siddhi (spiritual power) and the highest tantric wisdom. The Nārada Mahā Purāṇa, Uttarardha, has the account of Kāmodā (Chapter 68) and the Kāmākshā māhātmya itself (Chapter 69) in the sequence of tīrthas that Vāsu tells to Mohinī.

Origin of the Śakti-pīṭha

Satīdevī gave up her life at Daksha’s yajña, an event linked with the account of Haridvāra. Bhagavān Śiva was inconsolable. In his grief he carried Satī’s body across the cosmos, and the devas feared what his unchecked mourning would bring.

Bhagavān Vishṇu used his Sudarśana Cakra to cut up Satī’s body as Bhagavān Śiva carried it, so that the grief might come to a natural end. Different limbs and organs fell at different places. Each place where a part fell became a Śakti-pīṭha.

The yoni of Satīdevī fell on the Nīlācala (Blue Hill) in Kāmarūpa. This became Kāmākhyā, the most powerful of the Śakti-pīṭhas. The Devī who lives here is:

Kāmākhyā, the one with eyes of kāma (desire, divine love), the Devī who fulfils all.
Kāmākshī, the one whose glance grants all desires.
The source of all tantra-vidyā and the giver of siddhi.

(Nārada Mahā Purāṇa, Uttarardha, Chapter 69)

Kāmodā, the account before it

The Uttarardha brings in the Kāmākhyā section with the account of Kāmodā, a woman who came to a deva and asked for particular boons (vara) about desire and its fulfilment. (Nārada Mahā Purāṇa, Uttarardha, Chapter 68)

Importance of Kāmākhyā

The Uttarardha says:

Kāmākhyā is the supreme Devī-kshetra, the Śakti-pīṭha. Among all Devī-kshetras she is supreme, as Prayāga is among tīrthas.
When worshipped with śraddhā (faith), Devī Kāmākhyā grants siddhi (spiritual powers), moksha and all kāmas (desires).
Darśana of Kāmākhyā alone, without any rite, is enough to destroy the pāpas (sins) of many lives.
Those who perform the complete pūjā here by the tantric vidhi (rule) reach the highest states of siddhi.
Even the earth of the Nīlācala hill is holy. To wear it on the forehead brings puṇya.

(Nārada Mahā Purāṇa, Uttarardha, Chapter 69)

Kāmākhyā as a source of Brahmavidyā

The Uttarardha names Kāmākhyā as a source of Brahmavidyā in its most hidden form. Devī Kāmākhyā here is the living form of the power that creates all existence. At this pīṭha the union of Bhagavān Śiva and Śakti in their creative work becomes visible. Those who receive her grace know the supreme reality. (Nārada Mahā Purāṇa, Uttarardha, Chapter 69)

Sources

Nārada Mahā Purāṇa, Uttarardha, Chapters 68–69