Kamakhya Dham looks saffron clad

By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, June 20: Ambubachi mela is an occasion when one gets to see Kamakhya Dham clad in saffron. Orange is also the colour which the sadhus and babas prefer. Tens and thousands of them are seen flocking Kamakhya Dham on the occasion of Ambubachi Mela.
Baba Shiva Pada was sitting on padmasan posture. He was muttering to himself chanting me of ‘Ma Kamakhya’ and counting the beads of the rudraksh. He slowly opened his eyes when disturbed. “I came all the way from West Bengal. For the past 20 years I have been visiting Ambubachi Mela. I find solace amidst this heavy crowd. Inner peace is what we should strive for,” he mused. “I am here to boost tantra shakti with the help of meditation for four days,” he added.
Shiva Pada is one of the lakhs of sadhus and babas who came from various nooks and corners of the country. Some of those are also of the view that the weather plays a crucial role during the Ambubachi Mela.
“This is a divine connection. Wherever I stay during the whole year, monsoon attracts me towards Guwahati. Whenever I see clouds raging in the sky and wind blows towards north and south I board the train towards Guwahati,” a sadhu from Gujarat said.
Ma Bhairabi came from Siliguri to offer homage to Kamakhya. Her unique appearance is drawing attention of visitors. She has been growing her hair for the past 35 years only to turn it into a thick lock. The lock became heavy in the process and it made her difficult to walk. “I regard this lock as blessing of Ma Kamakya. This would go with me to my grave,” she smiled.   
A group of six sadhus were sitting on the footpath. They were waiting for the crowd to ease to find accommodation at harlagun Ashram arranged for them to stay. They were preparing marijua to smoke and seemed carefree. “Marijua soothes the mind and relaxes the inner self. It also helps one to concentrate and meditate,” one of them said.
When asked if the Kamakhya Dham premises has been declared smoke free and if it could cause any trouble for them, “Nobody says foul to a sadhu. A sadhu smokes marijua wherever he is,” one of them said.
“The administration and the devalaya authority have come up with excellent arrangements. We haven’t faced any trouble here. Since last year the devalaya premises has been kept clean. We can sit and relax anywhere,” Baba Shradhand from the group of six said as his eyes closed under the influence of marijua haze.