Guwahati: The annual Ambubachi Mela, one of the prime attractions of Guwahati’s famous Maa Kamakhya Temple began today at 7:53 AM (Pravritti). The three day festival concludes on 25 June (Thursday) at 8:16 PM (Nivritti).
However, owing to the ongoing corona virus pandemic, the fair is being observed without devotees as only rituals will be performed in the temple till June 25. The temple management authorities decided not to include devotees, sadhus in the fair in view of the novel corona virus pandemic. All entrances to the historic temple have been closed.
Every year Lakhs of devotees throng the temple to celebrate the menstruation course of Goddess Maa Kamakhya. Last year itself, the Mela had over 25 lakh people as participants, the ANI reported.
“Every year, Ambubachi Mela attracts lakhs of devotees including tourists, but it is totally opposite this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country. To keep the people of Assam safe we decided to skip the mela this year. So we will just carry out the religious rituals,” an official of Kamakhya Devalaya said.
The Kamakhya temple is one of 51 Shaktipeeth centres in India. During the Ambubachi Mela, the temple usually remains closed for the devotees for three days as the Goddess undergoes her annual menstrual cycle, the folklore says. And it is believed that the Goddess’s nurturing and feminine powers naturally get passed on to the devotees due to the monsoon season.
Image Source: incredibleindia.org
