The preparations are underway in full swing for the annual Ambubachi Mela in Maa Kamakhya temple- one of most revered spiritual gatherings in the Nilachal hill. Starting from June 22, the Kamakhya Temple, perched atop the scenic Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, will observe its unique annual ritual marking the menstruation period of Goddess Kamakhya, the divine embodiment of feminine power and fertility.
As lakhs of devotees of Maa Kamakhya from across the nation will visit the holy shrine during the festival, the state government is preparing big for the occasion.
Sacred schedule: Pabriti to Nibriti
The main ritual of ‘Pabriti’, the closing of the temple’s main door for the devotees, will start at 2:56 PM on June 22. This will mark the commencement of the Ambubachi festival. For the next three days the door of Maa Kamakhya temple will remain closed to the public. It is believed that goddess Kamakhya undergoes her menstrual cycle — a practice unique to this Shaktipeeth.
On the morning of June 26, the ritual of ‘Nibriti’ will mark the reopening of the temple, with lakhs of pilgrims expected to queue up to receive the first darshan after the divine pause. The temple will remain open for general devotees on June 26 and 27, and importantly, no VVIP visits will be entertained during this period to ensure the focus remains on common pilgrims.
The administration is fully prepared for the huge gathering of devotees during the celebration. Nilachal Hill, which houses the ancient temple, has been witnessing landslide threats due to recent heavy rainfall. Authorities have swung into action to ensure that the spiritual high is not marred by natural hazards.
“We are prioritizing safety this year. Devotees will be allowed to visit the temple from 5 AM to 6 PM only, and no night stays will be allowed on the hill,” said a senior district official.
All vehicles have been barred from reaching the top of the hill, and pilgrims will have to walk up the steep path to seek blessings from the goddess. After the darshan, devotees will be required to descend the hill the same day. Emergency response teams from NDRF and SDRF have been deployed in landslide-prone areas to assist and respond swiftly if needed.
Speaking about the scale of the Mela, Guwahati Police Commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta said,“Last year, nearly 27 lakh devotees attended the Ambubachi Mela. We are fully prepared this time as well, with extensive security measures in place.”
Security personnel are on high alert, with checkpoints, surveillance systems, and crowd control teams stationed throughout the hill and surrounding areas. The Assam government has assured that pilgrims will have access to all essential facilities, including drinking water, medical support, sanitation, and temporary shelters at the foothill.
Spiritual Magnetism
Despite the challenges, waves of pilgrims, saints, tantriks, and spiritual seekers have already begun arriving at Nilachal Hill. For many, Ambubachi is not just a festival but a divine calling, a chance to reconnect with the powerful feminine energy that Kamakhya represents.
“We come here every year. Maa Kamakhya is like our mother. No landslide or rain can stop her children from reaching her,” said an elderly woman pilgrim from West Bengal, carrying a small bundle of flowers and incense.
A festival of shakti and faith
Known as the Mahakumbh of the East, the Ambubachi Mela holds immense significance in Tantric traditions and Shakti worship. It symbolizes the celebration of fertility, womanhood, and nature’s cycles — making Kamakhya one of the few temples in India where menstruation is not a taboo but divinely celebrated.
As the sun sets behind the sacred hills, the spirit of Ambubachi continues to grow — not just in the beats of the dhak or the smoke of incense, but in the resilience and unwavering devotion of the thousands who climb a hill not just with their feet, but with their faith.
