The Ambubachi Mela is an annual Hindu festival hosted at the revered Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. This vibrant event occurs during the monsoon season, typically in the Assamese month of Ahaar, around mid-June.
The festival honors the annual menstruation cycle of Goddess Maa Kamakhya, earning it the name Ameti or the Tantric Fertility Festival, reflecting its deep ties to the Tantric Shakti tradition prominent in eastern India. The organization and execution of the festival are a collaborative effort between the Assam government and the Kamakhya Temple Management Committee.
The Kamakhya Temple, perched on the Nilachal Hills (also known as Kamagiri), was rebuilt in the mid-16th century by the Koch dynasty after its destruction by Kala Pahar. This sacred site is esteemed as one of the 52 Shakti Peethas, where it is believed the reproductive organ of Goddess Sati fell. As a prominent hub for Tantric worship, the temple embodies the synthesis of Aryan and non-Aryan spiritual traditions and practices.
The Kamakhya Temple, dedicated to Maa Kamakhya, is one of the oldest and most revered Hindu shrines in India. The temple's origins are steeped in mythology and legend, linking it to the ancient Shakti cult. The current structure of the temple, situated on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam, was reconstructed in the mid-16th century by the Koch dynasty after being destroyed by the Muslim invader Kala Pahar.
According to legend, the temple marks the spot where the reproductive organ (yoni) of Goddess Sati fell when her body was dismembered by Lord Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra. This event is part of the larger mythological narrative of Sati's self-immolation and the subsequent grief of her husband, Lord Shiva. The site thus became one of the 52 Shakti Peethas, which are sacred abodes of Shakti (the divine feminine).
The Kamakhya Temple is especially significant in Tantric worship and is regarded as the most important center for Tantric rituals in India. It symbolizes the unity of both Aryan and non-Aryan beliefs and practices. Tantrics, sadhus, and devotees from across the country flock to this temple to seek blessings and perform rituals.
One of the unique aspects of the temple is its annual festival, the Ambubachi Mela, which celebrates the goddess's yearly menstruation cycle. During this time, the temple is closed for three days, and it is believed that Maa Kamakhya undergoes her menstrual period, symbolizing fertility and the creative power of the divine feminine. On the fourth day, the temple reopens, and a grand celebration ensues.
Maa Kamakhya is worshipped as the granter of desires and the goddess of fertility and motherhood. The temple is not only a religious site but also a cultural symbol for the people of Assam and devotees worldwide. It represents the confluence of various religious traditions and the enduring power of the feminine divine in Hinduism.
The Kamakhya Temple's rich history, deep religious significance, and vibrant cultural heritage make it a pivotal place of worship and a profound symbol of the enduring legacy of Maa Kamakhya.
Festival Name: Ambubachi Mela Start
Day: Sunday
Date of Festival: 22 June 2025
Festival Name: Ambubachi Mela End
Day: Thursday
Date of Festival: 26 June 2025
During the monsoon season, it is believed that the creative and nurturing energies of Mother Earth's 'menses' become accessible to devotees at this site during the mela. Instead of an idol, the presiding deity is worshipped through a yoni-shaped stone, over which a natural spring flows.
