The sacred Nilachal Hills in Assam vibrate with spiritual energy as the annual Ambubachi Mela draws a massive crowd to the revered Kamakhya Temple. This powerful Shakti Peetha, a significant pilgrimage site in India, began its four-day festival on June 22. Indeed, pilgrims, tantrics, sadhus, and spiritual seekers from all over India and beyond are attending the event.
On Sunday, the temple closed its inner sanctum. This action marks the beginning of the symbolic menstruation period of Goddess Kamakhya. Consequently, for three days, the Goddess rests, and the sanctum remains closed. On June 25, however, the doors will reopen with ritual purification and celebrations, known as Ambubachi Nivriti.
Thousands of sadhu-sants, especially from tantric sects, arrive for the mela. They gather here for deep tantra sadhana. For them, therefore, Ambubachi is more than a festival; it is a sacred time for powerful spiritual practices. Many set up temporary camps around the temple. Here, they enter periods of silence, fasting, and secretive rituals. These practices, furthermore, aim to invoke divine feminine energy and heightened consciousness.
Chants, conch shells, and the scent of incense fill the temple grounds. Devotees gather eagerly, hoping to receive the “Raktabastram.” This is a piece of red cloth offered to the Goddess during this period. People believe it carries her blessings of fertility, healing, and transformation.
Authorities have implemented extensive measures to manage the large number of people. For instance, they have deployed extra security, mobile health units, water kiosks, and sanitation points. Moreover, aerial surveillance and coordination teams work continuously to ensure safety and order.
“Ambubachi is a time of worship and inner awakening,” said Acharya Shivananda, a spiritual teacher at the event. “Sadhu-sants come here to deepen their tantric practices. Furthermore, the energy of Kamakhya during this period is unique.”
As the monsoon breeze sweeps across the hills and spiritual chants echo into the evening, Kamakhya Temple remains a glowing center of divine feminine power, mysticism, and devotion.
