Guwahati: The revered Ambubachi Mela, an annual festival celebrating the divine femininity of Goddess Kamakhya, began on Sunday at the Kamakhya Temple atop Nilachal Hill in Guwahati.
This year, the event is expected to draw approximately 12 lakh devotees from across the country and abroad over its four-day duration, culminating on June 25.
The festival marks the symbolic menstruation period of Goddess Kamakhya, during which the temple doors remain closed for rituals.
The doors were officially shut at 2:56 pm on Sunday for the commencement of ‘Prabritti,’ and worship will resume at 3:19 am on Thursday after the completion of ‘Nirbritti.’
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed pilgrims to the event through a post on social media, stating, “Today marks the beginning of the Ambubachi Mahayog, an annual celebration of Maa Kamakhya’s divine femininity. Spiritual leaders and devotees from across the country will gather on the sacred Nilachal Hills to offer their prayers. I welcome all pilgrims to Assam and wish them a divine experience filled with the blessings of Maa Kamakhya.”
Temple authorities have prepared extensively for the influx of pilgrims.
Facilities including toilets, streetlights, health camps, and barricaded pathways have been set up.
The road leading to the temple has been closed to regular vehicles, with access limited to emergency and utility services.
To manage the crowd and ensure safety, police personnel and volunteers have been deployed across the area.
Temporary camps with the capacity to accommodate around 20,000 devotees have been established, providing shelter and basic amenities for pilgrims.
The Ambubachi Mela is a significant event in Assam’s cultural and religious calendar, drawing visitors from all walks of life to experience the spiritual atmosphere and seek the blessings of Goddess Kamakhya.
The festival also showcases Assam’s rich heritage, with the temple precinct becoming a hub of devotion and cultural exchange during the mela.
