With its blend of lively cultural traditions and profound spirituality, this cherished festival draws thousands of followers.
Maa Kamakhya temple, one of the most revered spiritual gatherings in the Nilachal hills, is in the midst of preparing for its annual ambubachi mela. The Kamakhya temple, which is situated on the picturesque Nilachal hill in Guwahati, will begin its special yearly observance of the menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya, the holy representation of feminine strength and fertility, on June 22.
During the festival, the government is ready for the large number of worshipers. Recent severe rainfall has increased the risk of landslides on Nilachal Hill, the location of the ancient temple. To make sure that natural dangers don't ruin the spiritual high, authorities have jumped into action.
“We are prioritizing safety this year. Devotees will be allowed to visit the temple from 5 AM to 6 PM only, and no night stays will be allowed on the hill,” said a senior district official. In order to receive blessings from the goddess, pilgrims will have to trek up the steep trail as all cars have been prohibited from reaching the summit of the hill. Devotees must descend the hill that same day following the darshan. In landslide-prone locations, emergency response teams from the NDRF and SDRF have been stationed to offer assistance and react quickly if necessary.
Speaking about the scale of the Mela, Guwahati Police Commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta said,“Last year, nearly 27 lakh devotees attended the Ambubachi Mela. We are fully prepared this time as well with extensive security measures in place.”
The Ambubachi Mela, also referred to as the Mahakumbh of the East, is extremely important in Tantric customs and Shakti worship. One of the few temples in India where menstruation is not viewed as a taboo but rather as a holy celebration, Kamakhya represents the celebration of fertility, womanhood, and the cycles of nature.