Devotees from all over India are gathering at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam, for the start of the annual Ambubachi Mela. As the festival begins, the temple's main door will be closed for three days, following the commencement rites of the mela. The doors will reopen on June 26, marking the end of the festival.
The Ambubachi Mela is a major Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Kamakhya Temple. Rooted in Tantric traditions, this festival signifies the time when the goddess Kamakhya is believed to undergo her annual menstrual cycle. Often referred to as the 'Mahakumbh of the East,' the festival celebrates the goddess's fertility and the creative power of womanhood.
According to the Department of Tourism, Government of Assam, the Ambubachi Mela is one of the largest gatherings in eastern India. This significant festival occurs every June and focuses on performing austerities and engaging in Shakti rituals, reflecting the belief that Kamakhya embodies the mother cult, Shakti.
During the Ambubachi period, which spans from the seventh to the tenth day of the Hindu month of Asadha, the temple doors remain closed to symbolize the goddess's menstrual cycle. On the twelfth day, the temple reopens with a grand ceremony, followed by a large fair on the temple grounds. This period is marked by deep reverence and various rituals, drawing a multitude of devotees and making it a significant cultural and spiritual event.
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