Ambubachi Mela is among the largest crowds of devotees in the Kamakhya temple in Assam in July and June. “Maa Kamakhya Temple’ is situated in Guwahati. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess of motherhood Kamakhya and is believed to be one of the 52 Shakti Peethas. There isn’t worship of goddesses inside the temple. And instead, it is an idol in the shape of ‘Yoni’, which is revered here.
What is Ambubachi Festival?
The Ambubachi Festival is celebrated during the monsoon, believing that Goddess Kamakhya is experiencing her annual menstrual cycle during this period. Temples are closed for three consecutive days from the 7th day in the “Ashadh” month of the Hindu calendar to the tenth day of the month as an act of seclusion in traditional menstrual cycles. On the 12th day, the doors are ceremonially opened, and a large festival is held in the temple. The belief is that fertility brought by the goddess will bless devotees and help them grow. The Significance of the Ambubachi Festival
“Ambubachi” means “spoken with water”, which means that the anticipated rains at this time of year make the soil fertile and ready for the birth of new babies. The daily worship service is not permitted during this time, and the entire agricultural process, such as ploughing, digging, sowing, or transplanting crops, is prohibited. It is forbidden for devotees to cook meals during these times. On the 4th day, dishes, clothing, and other things are washed and purified symbolically by sprinkles of water.
The devotion to Goddess Kamakhya starts with cleansing and other rituals. The entrance to the shrine is believed to be a sign of good luck following these rituals. The prasad also gets given to the devotees. Prasad is offered in two forms, namely Angodak or Angabastra. Angodak is a term that means “water from the spring”, referring to the fluid that flows the body absorbs. Angabastra refers to the cloth that covers the body, an item of red cloth that covers the stone yoni during the menstrual cycle.
Guide About Ambubachi Mela 2024
This year, the eagerly awaited festival is set to occur between June 22 and June 26.
Anticipating a large influx of attendees, the temple’s priests have emphasized the importance of organized accommodations. They suggest that the administration arranges for expansive accommodation camps for the convenience of the pilgrims. Additionally, to cater to devotees unable to make the journey, arrangements have been proposed to allow for virtual worship, with prasad being delivered to devotees’ homes via courier services.
The temple has historically been a focal point for spiritual gatherings. For instance, in 2019, it witnessed a congregation of 25 lakh devotees, marking it as one of the grandest spiritual attractions.
Ambubachi Mela Date and Time 2024
The Ambubachi festival will be held between June 22 and June 26 this year, and there will be no restrictions for visitors.
Further information can be found below:
Ambubachi Fair Starts: 22 June 2024, Saturday
Ambubachi Fair Ends: 26 June 2024, Wednesday
Temple Closing Day: 22 June 2024, Saturday
Temple Opening Day: 26 June 2024, Wednesday
Visiting Day: 26 June 2024 Wednesday
Darshan Timings: 5:30 am to 10:30 pm
What is the location of the Ambubachi fair?
Ambubachi Mela Ambubachi Mela is an annual Hindu festival (gathering) that is held at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam.
What is the reason Kamakhya Temple is closed for three days?
The amazing Maa Kamakhya Ambubachi Mela is a celebration of the annual menstrual cycle that is celebrated by Maa Kamakhya. Goddess Shakti is in the menstrual cycle on the days that the Mela is celebrated, therefore the temple remains closed to the devotees for three consecutive days. Also, read Unknown Interesting facts about Kamakhya Temple.
What are the Entry Fees to Visit Kamakhya Temple?
General Entry: Free
VIP Darshan: INR 500/-
Defense Personnel INR 50/-
What are Kamakhya Temple darshan timings?
Kamakhya temple darshan timing for Monday to Sunday are:
Morning: 05:30 AM to 01:00 PM
Evening: 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM
What are the steps within Kamakhya Temple?
There are just 150 steps to the Kamakhya temple. The stairs are not too difficult to be climbed from the parking lot.
Can phones be used within Kamakhya Temple?
Yes. Mobile phones you can use outside and inside the temple.
Can photography be done within Kamakhya Temple?
Yes, you are allowed to carry and photograph within the temple, but it is not permitted when you go down to the shrine.
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