Ambubachi Mela underway

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, June 22: The four-day Ambubachi Mela started sharp at 7.02 am with the closure of the temple gate today. The main gate of the temple will open for visitors only in the morning of June 26 even as the Ambubachi period will conclude at 7.26 pm on June 25.

Over one lakh devotees thronged Kamakhya dham on the first day of the mela today. Devotees from neighbouring countries, apart from the State and elsewhere  in India, were present at the Mela today.

On the other hand, Ju Akhara Rashtriya Thapati Mahant Shri Govind Giriji (Moni Baba) said: “We’ll make all bandobast for the Kumari Puja (worshipping girls yet to attain puberty) on June 25. We’ve started the Vishwa Kalyan Yaj from today, for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. This yaj will continue till June 25. As many as  75 ga Babas have come to the mela from Ju Akhara. Over 2,000 babas from different parts of India are atop Kamakhya temple now. Ambubachi Mela isn’t Kumbh Mela. However, what’s seen at Kumbh Mela is also seen here too. It will be even more in the years ahead.”

The security bandobast is such that no crowed is allowed to be formed. The devotees feel an homely atmosphere at the mela.