ProfessorThe Kamakhya Ambubachi Mela is an annual festival that holds immense significance in the Hindu religion, particularly in the Tantric sect. Scheduled to take place from June 22 to June 26, 2024, this festival is celebrated at the Kamakhya Temple, situated atop the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam.
Significance of the Festival
The festival marks the annual menstruation period of Goddess Kamakhya, an aspect of Shakti, symbolizing fertility and the power of womanhood. It is believed that during this time, the Goddess undergoes her menstrual cycle, and therefore, the temple remains closed for three days. The sanctum sanctorum is covered with a red silk cloth, signifying the menstruation of the Goddess.
Rituals and Celebrations
On the fourth day, known as the ‘Maha Ashtami’, the temple doors are reopened after the purification rituals, and devotees are allowed to enter to worship and receive ‘prasad’. The prasad is distributed in two forms – ‘Angodak’, which is the water from the spring inside the temple, and ‘Angabastra’, which is a piece of the red cloth used to cover the stone yoni during the days of menstruation.
The Mela (Fair)
The Ambubachi Mela is not just a religious event but also a cultural fair that attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists from across India and abroad. The fair around the temple premises showcases local handicrafts, religious artifacts, and traditional Assamese items.
How to Reach
Guwahati is well-connected by air, rail, and road. The nearest airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. Guwahati railway station is a major hub in Northeast India. Buses and taxis are readily available from these points to reach Kamakhya Temple.
Kamakhya Ambubachi Mela Guidelines for Devotees
Visitors are advised to respect local customs and traditions. Photography inside the temple premises may be restricted during this period. It’s recommended to check with local authorities or temple management for any specific guidelines for 2024.
a) Free lodging camps and food distribution facilities will not be available in and around Nilachal Hill.
b) Drinking water facilities, resting shades, a medical camp, and a shoe counter will be set up at various points along the motorable road.
c) Devotees entering the Devalaya Campus will exit through the East and West gates after completing the Parikrama (circumambulation).
d) Due to traffic congestion and other challenges, devotees will be allowed to enter Nilachal Hill only until 9 PM. The committee urges the general public to cooperate in this regard.
e) It is advised to remove footwear before entering Nilachal Hill, as there are no shoe storage facilities within the Devalaya complex. The committee will not be responsible for any loss of footwear if this request is not followed.
f) Considering the anticipated rush, it is recommended that individuals refrain from bringing infants, elderly persons, and those who are physically weak.
g) The entire Nilachal Hill has been declared a no-smoking zone. Individuals under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to enter the Devalaya Complex. The committee emphasizes the need for strict action against any unruly behavior and seeks support from the administration in this regard.
h) The committee has deployed 500 scouts/guides, 400 volunteers, and 100 private security personnel, in addition to 120 regular security personnel. To enhance security measures, 400 CCTV cameras have been installed across the Devalaya premises.
i) Around 100 temporary cleaners, along with 200 regular ones, have been engaged to maintain cleanliness in and around the Devalaya.
j) Temporary sheds, medical facilities, and drinking water provisions will be available at the Bongshibagan area to accommodate devotees queuing up for darshan (sacred viewing) on June 26th.
k) As a gesture of gratitude, the Devalaya will provide food to all the service providers involved in the Ambubachi Mahayog, as it has done in previous years.
This festival is a profound embodiment of faith, showcasing how biological processes are revered in Hinduism and integrated into spiritual practices.
Kamakya Temple’s History
The Kamakhya Temple is an ancient Shakti Peeth temple located on the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam. Its historical origins are not certain, but evidence suggests a temple complex dating back to the 10th/11th century. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya and is an important pilgrimage destination for both general Hindu and Tantric worshipers.
According to legend, the temple stands on the spot where the yoni (female genitalia) of Sati, Lord Shiva’s first wife, fell after Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra dismembered her body. It has since become a center for Tantric practices and the site of the Ambubachi Mela.
The current structure features a beehive-like shikhara with sculptured panels and images of Hindu gods and goddesses. The temple consists of three major chambers, with the middle chamber housing a small idol of the Goddess.
Architectural Details of the Kamakhya Temple
The Kamakhya Temple is renowned for its distinctive Nilachal type of temple architecture, characterized by a beehive-shaped shikhara or tower made of stone. This shikhara is adorned with intricate sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses. The temple also features an atchala or eight-angled roof made of brick and covered with terracotta tiles.
The temple complex includes several shrines, mandapas (halls), and courtyards, each showcasing intricate carvings and sculptures. The main temple, known as the Garbhagriha, is built in the Hemadpanthi style of architecture, with a square-shaped sanctum sanctorum.
Temple’s Sculptures
The Kamakhya Temple is adorned with a rich array of sculptures that enhance its aesthetic and spiritual ambiance. The temple complex houses statues of the ten different forms of Kali, representing creation, preservation, and destruction. These include Dhumavati, Matangi, Bagola, Tara, Kamala, Bhairavi, Chinnamasta, Bhuvaneshwari, and Tripura Sundari.
The temple’s architecture follows the Nagara style of North India, with sculptures prominently displayed on both the exterior and interior walls. Many sculptures are also affixed to the temple gates, while others are scattered within the temple campus.
The outer wall of the Kamakhya Temple is furnished with splendid sculptures of various Hindu divine figures. The ‘shikhara’ or tower is created in the ‘pancharatha’ style and is encircled by a row of ‘angashikharas’, which resemble the ‘Charchala’ temples of Bengal.
These sculptures are not just decorative elements but are considered ‘alankara’ (ornamentation) that adds to the mystical aura of this revered temple.
Neha Baruah
Asik Syed
