The Ambubachi Mela, often referred to as the ‘Kumbh Mela of Northeast Bharat,’ is scheduled to take place at the Kamakhya Temple from June 22 to June 26, 2024. This annual festival, rich in ancient customs and rituals, is expected to draw thousands of devotees from across the country.
Dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, who symbolises feminine power and fertility, the Ambubachi Mela is celebrated during the monsoon season. The temple will close its gates from June 22 to June 24, with public entry resuming on June 25, marking the official start of the Mela.
During the festival, the temple will adjust its usual hours, opening from 8 am to 9 am. VIP tickets will not be available online during the event. Typically, the temple opens at 7:30 am and closes at 4:30 pm in winter and 5 pm in summer, with a break from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.
The Ambubachi Mela is rooted in the myth of Devi Sati, whose body parts were scattered across various locations after her death, creating sacred sites. The Kamakhya Temple is believed to be the site where Sati’s yoni (female sexual organ) fell, leading to its unique yoni-worship practices, which are a significant aspect of the tantric tradition in Assam.
It is believed that during the festival, Goddess Kamakhya undergoes her annual menstrual cycle, and the temple remains closed for three days, symbolising a period of rest and purification for the Goddess. Despite the temple being closed to the public, secret rituals are performed by priests inside the Garbha Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum). On the fourth day, the temple doors open to devotees, officially beginning the Ambubachi Mela.
Devotees from various parts of Bharat and the world gather at Kamakhya Temple to participate in the Ambubachi Mela, observing rituals and offering prayers to the Goddess. The festival is a vibrant celebration of ancient traditions and spiritual fervour, drawing a massive influx of visitors each year, often creating a stampede-like situation due to the large number of attendees.
