Hiranya Barman
GUWAHATI, June 23: A large number of devotees thronged the Ambubachi Mela at the Kamakhya Temple atop the Nilachal Hills on the second day on Sunday.
The entire atmosphere reverberated with a kind of divine energy of Goddess Kamakhya, with devotees. Ambubachi Mela marks the annual menstruation of the Mother Goddess, during which temple doors remain closed and people refrain from worshiping the deities. The festival is a celebration of the power of every woman to create a life.
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Several foreign nationals were among those who attended one of the biggest melas in India, this year.
Guwahati, was simmering on 33 degrees on the day with 76 per cent humidity. Devotees who otherwise had a notion that isolated rains drench the city during the four days of the Mela could be seen hoping for a heavy shower.
“I am attracted to the Shakti worship that is associated with the Mela. For several few years I have been visiting the Kamakhya Temple to feel the divine energy residing here”, Jairam Sharma, from Kathmandu told The Hills Times.
Sharma expected rain. But he later came to know Guwahati has already received a fair share of rains till June 20. He said that many families from his area visit the Mela annually. He feels that the rains are synonymous with Ambubachi and will not betray him this year.
“The downpour also lowers the temperature of the hill due to the immense crowd of devotees visiting the shrine during the festival,” he said.
Backpackers from Milan, Italy Allan and Crystalline are first timers this year. They believed India to be a centre of spiritualism in the world. After hiking the Nilachal hill as part of their itinerary on a rainy fine day, they want to take part in the Mela to conclude their journey.
“India’s traditional practices that are so deep rooted in the minds, hearts and soul of people, have always attracted my attention. Coming to Nilachal Hill was part of my journey that has left a mark in my life. The divine energy is in the air,” Allan said.
He and his partner Crystalline have been staying in a lodge nearby. They haven’t been overcharged all the while during their current stay in the city, Allan felt.
“We paying the standard fare and charges everywhere,” Crystalline said.
For America’s Ivan, his visit to the Ambubachi Mela is a journey of faith and his interest in the Shakti cult led him to visit Assam. He is on a research on Shakti worship. Clicking pictures with his phone he said he wanted to capture the babas and sadhus, who travelled from faraway places to worship Goddess Shakti.
It is believed that some Sadhus who are rarely seen, appear atop Nilachal Hill during the Ambubachi Mela.
The district administration has left no stones unturned to ensure hustle free visit for devotees. Safai kamacharis (cleaners) swung into action whenever required and at quick intervals.
The administration earlier notified the vendors to set up stalls at designated places only. State tourism minister had said that VIP passes would not be issued on June 26 and 27.
Following the Pravritti of the Ambubachi Mela on Saturday morning, the temple’s main door will remain closed for three days. The Nivritti is scheduled to take place on June 26, after which the temple’s main door will reopen on the morning of the same day. Altogether, 2.5 lakh people visited the temple during the Mela last year, the head priest said.
