Ambubachi Mela returns after 2 years; 10 lakh devotees to attend

After a gap of two years, Ambubachi Mela will be held at Maa Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam from today (June 22).

The annual Ambubachi Mela or Ambubachi Festival is celebrated with the belief that Maa Kamakhya goes through her annual cycle of menstruation during this time, in monsoon.

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The Ambubachi Mela was not conducted in the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the Kamrup Metropolitan District, Guwahati, will expecting a footfall of more than 10 lakh devotes from all over India.

The district administration has already set up three camps for the devotees.

However, last week, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma advised people to not visit the Ambubachi Mela this time due to the threat of heavy rainfall and landslides. Some parts of Assam have been affected by floods.

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“There might be chances of landslides. If rains occur on the days of mela, this would go out of government control,” Sarma had said on June 17.

On Monday (June 22), Sarma took to his Twitter account to write about the Ambubachi Mela.

“As the auspicious Ambubachi Mela begins from today, I pray to Maa Kamakhya to bless everyone with good health, happiness & prosperity, besides help us ward off all evils,” the chief minister tweeted.

“One of the holiest Śakti Pīṭhas in Bharat, the Mandir is dedicated to the divine energy of Maa Kamakhya and attracts devotees from all over the world. I welcome all devotees to our beautiful land Assam for this holy pilgrimage,” he added in another post.

One of the holiest Śakti Pīṭhas in Bharat, the Mandir is dedicated to the divine energy of Maa Kamakhya and attracts devotees from all over the world.

I welcome all devotees to our beautiful land Assam for this holy pilgrimage.

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 22, 2022

Kabindra Prasad Sarma, head priest, of the Maa Kamakhya Temple said the main door of the shrine would be closed for three days.

“Pravritti of the Mela will be performed at 8:15 pm on June 22 and the main door of the temple will be closed from the Pravritti. The main door of the temple will remain closed on June 23, 24 and 25 and only rituals will be performed. The door will be opened for devotees on June 26. In the last two years, the Ambubachi Mela was not observed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are preparing to observe the mela this year,” Kabindra was quoted as saying by ANI.

Ambubachi Mela dates, guidelines

Kamrup Metropolitan District has issued guidelines for the Ambubachi Mela which runs from June 22 to 26.

“Unauthorised distribution of food stuff on the main road and any other venues shall be strictly prohibited. The organisations allowed by the District Administration shall serve food at designated camp as per guidelines,” the district administration said in a press release.

AMBUBACHI 2022 🌺🙏

Timings-

22nd JUNE ( PRABRITI)
8:18:18 PM

26th JUNE ( NIBRITI)
8:41:58 AM#AmbubachiMela2022 @Ambubachi

— Kamakhya Temple (@KamakhyaTemple1) June 21, 2022

“From the foothills till Maa Kamakhya Temple, only drinking water is to be distributed. The organisations allowed by the district administration shall serve drinking water only along the road from the foothills till Maa Kamakhya Devalaya as per zones allotted to them. No dry foods/biscuits are allowed in this route,” it added.