Ambubachi Mela: Bhootnath turns into a bustling spiritual marketplace

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: With the onset of the sacred Ambubachi Mahayog at the revered Kamakhya Temple, the area surrounding Bhootnath in Guwahati has been transformed into a vibrant spiritual marketplace. Traders from across India, hailing from states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, have set up temporary stalls, selling religious artefacts and puja items to thousands of devotees arriving for the annual spiritual congregation.

Celebrated at the Kamakhya Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peeths, the Ambubachi Mahayog marks the annual menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya. While the temple’s inner sanctum remains closed from June 22 to June 26, the faith and fervour of lakhs of pilgrims continue to infuse life into the temple precincts.

Roadside stalls near Bhootnath Temple display a wide variety of spiritual items, including rudrakshs, shivlings, pendants, incense sticks, and many more. “I’ve been coming here for the past eight years during Ambubachi. The devotion of people truly touches me,” shared a trader from Maharashtra. However, he noted that the lack of digital payment facilities has been a drawback, affecting daily sales.

Meanwhile, the civic administration is maintaining heightened vigilance to manage the growing crowds.

“GMC has deployed additional sanitation workers at all temporary camps to maintain cleanliness throughout the Ambubachi period,” said a GMC official. He also voiced concerns over unregulated vending, stating, “We do not encourage roadside vending by migrant traders, as it may lead to traffic congestion. Our enforcement branch has been instructed to manage the situation.”

Despite the challenges, many traders continue to participate out of deep spiritual commitment, braving difficult living conditions, some even spending nights near Kamakhya railway station or the Bhootnath cremation ground. “Ambubachi is not just a festival; it’s a celebration of faith,” said a trader from Prayagraj. “Through these sacred items, we help devotees connect with the divine.”

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