Ambubachi Mela: Assam prepares to welcome 8 lakh devotees

Guwahati, June 17 (IANS) With the annual Ambubachi Mahayoga set to begin at the revered Kamakhya Temple atop Nilachal Hills, the Assam government has intensified preparations to welcome more than eight lakh devotees expected during the four‑day spiritual congregation.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday extended a warm invitation to devotees from across India and abroad to participate in Ambubachi Mahayoga 2026, one of the largest religious gatherings in eastern India.

In a message posted on social media, the Chief Minister said the sacred occasion has adorned Kamakhya Temple to receive pilgrims from around the world and invited devotees to be part of the unique confluence of spirituality and nature.

Authorities have arranged extensive facilities, including dedicated shelter camps and improved crowd‑management measures. Three major camps have been established for devotees at Kamakhya Railway Station and Pandu riverfront, while a separate camp has been set up at Nahebati for police and security personnel.

The government has announced that the main access route to the temple will remain open for devotees from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., ensuring smooth movement and regulated entry.

Ambubachi Mahayoga marks the annual menstruation period of Goddess Kamakhya and is regarded as one of the most significant Tantric festivals in the country.

During the observance, the temple remains closed for three days before reopening for devotees following special rituals. The event attracts saints, sadhus, Tantric practitioners and pilgrims from across India and abroad.

Security arrangements, sanitation facilities, healthcare services and transportation management have been strengthened to ensure smooth conduct of the festival. Nilachal Hills are expected to transform into a vibrant centre of faith and devotion, drawing lakhs of devotees seeking blessings at the historic Shakti Peetha.

Temple authorities said the ritual observance will begin with the Pravritti at 9:08:42 p.m. on June 22, marking the onset of the sacred period. The temple will reopen on the morning of June 26 after the completion of the customary Nitya Puja.

The Ambubachi Mela celebrates the fertility of Mother Earth and is centred on the belief that Goddess Kamakhya, revered as the embodiment of feminine creative power, undergoes her annual menstrual cycle during this period.

--IANS

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