23/06/2020
Ambubachi Mela (Ambubachi Fair):
It is one of the most religious practice which holds its own significance among its practitioners and believers. This unique fair is held every year in the North-eastern state of Assam during monsoon time. The fair is held to worship Goddess Kamakhya, the presiding deity of the Kamakhya Temple, situated on the Nilachal hill in Guwahati, Assam. This fair is unique in the sense that there is a very peculiar and unusual belief which goes behind the celebration of the fair.
It is believed that this is the period when the Goddess goes through her yearly menstruation cycle. The Mela is actually a celebration of the yearly menstrual cycle of the Goddess. The monsoon rains around this time are believed to be associated with the menstrual cycle of the Goddess, and hence the Mela is celebrated during monsoon time. The Kamakhya Temple is said to be the birthplace of the Earth. Thus, Mother Earth is also believed to be menstruating during this period. The whole Temple resounds with the chants of “Prithibi Rajashala Hoi” (Mother Earth is menstruating). Because of this belief, the Temple seems to be obsessed with the colour red.
Devotees from different places come flocking in large numbers to take part in the Mela. The Temple remains closed for three days, as it is believed that the Goddess, and hence, Mother Earth, becomes unclean for these days. During these three days, devotees set up their camps outside the Temple. On the third day, the Goddess is bathed and several rituals are performed. This is to ensure that the Goddess ‘retrieves’ her purity, after her menstruation cycle is over. Following this, the Temple is opened and ‘prasad’ is distributed. On the fourth day, devotees are allowed to enter the Temple to offer their prayers.
This year due to outbreak of Covid-19 ,devotees are not allowed in the temple premises, but all the rituals are going on peacefully by Kamakhya Devalaya Management Committee from 22nd June 2020.
May Goddess Kamakhya bless us all to flight this pandemic 🙏