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India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"I prayed that we become Viksit Bharat soon": Assam Governor offers prayers at Kamakhya Temple post Ambubachi Mela
Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 26 (ANI): Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, along with his wife, visited the Kamakhya Temple on Thursday morning and offered prayers to Goddess Kamakhya as the temple reopened for devotees after the Nivriti of the Ambubachi Mela. A large number of devotees also thronged the historic Kamakhya Temple as it reopened for public darshan following the conclusion of Mela. Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya said he prayed for a Viksit Bharat and for strength to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to continue the nation's development journey. Speaking to the reporters, Lakshman Prasad Acharya said, 'I prayed that we become Viksit Bharat soon. The arrangements have been done properly to facilitate smooth darshan for devotees. I also prayed that Maa Kamakhya gives 'shakti' to PM Modi, who is engaged in further developing the country.' The annual event commemorates the yearly menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya, believed to be the embodiment of feminine power. Ambubachi Mela takes place during the monsoon season, specifically in the Assamese month of Ahaar, around the middle of June. After conducting Ambubachi Prabritti rituals, the main door of the Kamakhya temple closed on 22nd June and will reopen on June 26. It is one of the most revered centres of Tantric practices and is regarded as one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. The annual Ambubachi Mela, one of Assam's most revered Hindu festivals, commenced on Sunday at the historic Kamakhya Temple atop the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati. The event began with traditional rituals, marking the start of the four-day-long celebration that draws devotees from across India and abroad. According to the government of Assam website, the Kamakhya temple, 7 km from Guwahati, is one of the largest Shakti shrines in the country. Situated on the Nilachal hills, it is an important pilgrimage centre for tantric worshippers and Hindus. Several other pujas are organised in this temple, including Durga Puja, Durgadeul and Madandeul. Some of the other pujas performed in this temple include Manasa Puja, Pohan Biya and Vasanti Puja. (ANI)
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Assam: Devotees throng Kamakhya Temple as it reopens after Ambubachi Mela
Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 26 (ANI): A large number of devotees flocked to the historic Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati on Thursday morning as it reopened for public darshan following the Nivriti of the annual Ambubachi Mela. The Main Priest of Maa Kamakhya temple, Himadri Sarma, said that after Nivriti, the temple portals opened at 6 am today. He added that the temple administration worked hard for the smooth conduct of the Ambubachi festival. Speaking to ANI, Himadri Sarma said, 'After Nivriti, the temple portals opened at 6 am today. The devotees are taking darshan of Maa Kamakhya now. Everyone in the temple administration worked hard for the smooth conduct of the Ambubachi festival.' Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, along with his wife, also visited the Kamakhya Temple on Thursday morning and offered prayers to Goddess Kamakhya. Acharya said he prayed for a Viksit Bharat and for strength to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to continue the nation's development journey. Speaking to the reporters, Lakshman Prasad Acharya said, 'I prayed that we become Viksit Bharat soon. The arrangements have been done properly to facilitate smooth darshan for devotees. I also prayed that Maa Kamakhya gives 'shakti' to PM Modi, who is engaged in further developing the country.' The annual event commemorates the yearly menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya, believed to be the embodiment of feminine power. Ambubachi Mela takes place during the monsoon season, specifically in the Assamese month of Ahaar, around the middle of June. After conducting Ambubachi Prabritti rituals, the main door of the Kamakhya temple closed on 22nd June to reopen on June 26. It is one of the most revered centres of Tantric practices and is regarded as one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. The annual Ambubachi Mela, one of Assam's most revered Hindu festivals, commenced on Sunday at the historic Kamakhya Temple atop the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati. The event began with traditional rituals, marking the start of the four-day-long celebration that draws devotees from across India and abroad. Several other pujas are organised in this temple, including Durga Puja, Durgadeul and Madandeul. Some of the other pujas performed in this temple include Manasa Puja, Pohan Biya and Vasanti Puja. (ANI)
News18
4 days ago
- News18
Kamakhya Temple & Red Cloth: The Meaning Of Rakht Bastra During Ambubachi Mela Explained
Last Updated: Kamakhya Temple: At the heart of Ambubachi Mahayog, one of India's most mystically potent festivals, lies an amalgamation of tantra and mantra As the monsoon clouds gather over Assam, the sacred Neelachal Hills in Guwahati come alive with crimson. The scent of incense thickens the air, earthen lamps flicker in rhythm with the breeze, and the red-robed sadhus—spiritual seekers from across India and beyond—begin their annual pilgrimage to the revered Kamakhya Temple. It's time for the Ambubachi Mahayog, one of India's most mystically potent festivals, and at its heart lies a powerful amalgamation of tantra and mantra. THE PILGRIMAGE BEGINS: A SEA OF RED Every year, around the Hindu month of Ahaar (June-July), devotees and seers journey from all corners of the subcontinent to attend the Ambubachi Mahayog. In 2025 alone, temple authorities estimate that over 15 lakh pilgrims will gather at Kamakhya, with nearly a quarter being ascetics and tantriks seeking spiritual awakening. Dressed in red, their presence paints the landscape in a symbolic hue that matches the theme of the festival—fertility and creation. For these seekers, being at Kamakhya during Ambubachi isn't just tradition. 'Some force pulls us here," one seer explained, 'and to be here during Ambubachi is not just a blessing; it is a call to deeper knowledge." Kamakhya is one of the most powerful manifestations of Shakti, the divine feminine energy. What sets this temple apart from others is a bold belief: the goddess menstruates. Unlike the widespread taboo associated with menstruation in many cultures, Kamakhya honours it as sacred. According to legend, the yoni (female genitalia) of Goddess Sati—Shiva's consort—fell on this hill when her body was dismembered after self-immolation. Since then, this site, also known as the 'Joni Peeth', has been revered as the seat of primal power. During Ambubachi, it is believed that the goddess undergoes her annual menstrual cycle, withdrawing into solitude and rest. THE RITUAL: SECLUSION AND RENEWAL The sanctum sanctorum of the Kamakhya Temple, which houses a stone symbolising the goddess's yoni, is closed for three days during the mela. A white cloth is draped over the sacred stone. No prayers are offered, and even Mother Earth is given rest—tilling and agricultural activities pause, mirroring the menstruation taboo but redefined here as reverence and respect. On the fourth day, the temple reopens in a burst of celebration. The goddess is considered purified, and the festival culminates in rituals of renewal, spiritual invocations, and the distribution of a unique prasad: the Rakta Bastra. RAKTA BASTRA: THE SACRED RED CLOTH The white cloth that once covered the yoni-stone is now red, symbolically representing the menstrual fluid of the goddess. Devotees believe it to be suffused with divine energy, making it one of the most sought-after sacred tokens. Pieces of this cloth are distributed as prasad, and those who receive it often treat it as an amulet—keeping it in wallets, altars, or wearing it for blessings related to fertility, protection, and prosperity. 'It's not only the cloth— the entire Neelachal, Mother Earth herself, all turns red. We believe so. This is the time when we get the maximum results for our tapasya and dhyan—almost three times more than usual," said Nanda Giri Maharaj of the Dashanami Juna Akhara. The red that envelops the Neelachal Hills is, to them, not merely ritual—it is a living aura of Shakti, radiating through every element of nature. This cloth becomes a visible, tangible bridge between the devotee and the goddess—a sacred embodiment of life's mysterious and creative force. 'The red cloth symbolises Shakti, and Kamakhya is the epitome of Nari Shakti. These days, I often come across online sites assuring people of the red cloth—but these are fake and fraudulent," said Kabindra Sharma, the Head Doloi (chief priest) of Kamakhya Temple. 'We do share pieces of the red cloth among devotees," he clarified, 'but what you hear and see online is not what it is all about." His remarks come amid rising concerns over commercialisation and misrepresentation of the Rakta Bastra, the sacred red cloth distributed during the Ambubachi Mela. Sharma emphasised that while the red cloth is indeed revered and distributed as prasad, its spiritual essence is being diluted by unverified sources and black-market profiteers claiming to sell 'authentic" pieces online. SYMBOLISM AND THE FEMININE DIVINE At its core, the red cloth is more than a ritual object—it is a celebration of womanhood, creation, and the cyclic nature of life. In a society where menstruation has often been treated as impure or hidden, Kamakhya flips the narrative. Here, the act of bleeding is holy, and the female body is revered as the origin of life. The Ambubachi festival reclaims and ritualises what society frequently stigmatises. It boldly repositions menstruation not as something to be ashamed of, but something to worship. TANTRIC TRADITIONS AND MYSTICAL PRACTICES Kamakhya is also a stronghold of Tantric worship, and Ambubachi holds a special place in these esoteric traditions. During these three days, tantric practitioners engage in ceremonies aimed to unlock deeper spiritual knowledge and occult wisdom. Foreigners and spiritual seekers from around the globe are increasingly drawn to this unique convergence of fertility rites, ancient mysticism, and goddess worship. 'I adopted sanyas this year itself, and this is my first time in Kamakhya during Ambubachi. It's truly divine," expressed a young sannyasini from Ujjain, her voice filled with awe and emotion. 'I had heard so much about this place, about the power of the goddess, and now I can feel it. The energy here is unlike anything I've experienced," she said. 'I definitely want to return with the red cloth as Maa's prasad. It's not just a blessing—it's a symbol of my journey and her presence in my life." MISCONCEPTIONS AND SCIENCE As with any symbolic ritual, the Rakta Bastra is not free of misconceptions. Some mistakenly believe the red cloth contains literal menstrual blood, a claim consistently denied by temple authorities. Scholars clarify that the red colour is symbolic, part of a ritual transformation rather than a physical one. Interestingly, the Brahmaputra River nearby is also said to turn reddish during Ambubachi. While devotees view it as divine, scientists point to natural causes—iron oxide content, soil runoff, or cinnabar deposits. top videos View all The red cloth, the Rakta Bastra, symbolises a powerful truth that many have long forgotten: that creation begins with the feminine, and menstruation is not a source of shame, but of sacred strength. In Kamakhya, the ancient myths whisper loudly to the modern world: to remember, to honour, and to reclaim the divine that resides in the natural, in the body, and in the cycles that govern all life. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : kamakhya Kamakhya temple Location : Assam, India, India First Published: June 25, 2025, 18:42 IST News explainers Kamakhya Temple & Red Cloth: The Meaning Of Rakht Bastra During Ambubachi Mela Explained
India Gazette
6 days ago
- India Gazette
Assam: Devotees throng Kamakhya Temple for Ambubachi Mela in Guwahati
Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 24 (ANI): A large number of devotees arrived at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati on Tuesday to offer prayers on the third day of the four-day Ambubachi Mela. The annual event commemorates the yearly menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya, believed to be the embodiment of feminine power. Ambubachi Mela takes place during the monsoon season, specifically in the Assamese month of Ahaar, around the middle of June. After conducting Ambubachi Prabritti rituals, the main door of the Kamakhya temple closed on 22nd June and will reopen on June 26. It is one of the most revered centres of Tantric practices and is regarded as one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. The annual Ambubachi Mela, one of Assam's most revered Hindu festivals, commenced on Sunday at the historic Kamakhya Temple atop the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati. The event began with traditional rituals, marking the start of the four-day-long celebration that draws devotees from across India and abroad. The Kamakhya temple management committee and the Kamrup (Metro) district administration have made all arrangements for the Ambubachi Mela. Meawhile, in a post on X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma extended wishes for the festival, 'Today marks the beginning of the #Ambubachi Mahayog, an annual celebration of Maa Kamakhya's divine femininity. Spiritual Gurus and devotees from across the country will dawn upon the sacred Nilachal Hills to pray for Bharat. I welcome all pilgrims to Assam & wish everyone a divine experience and the choicest blessings of Maa Kamakhya.' According to the government of Assam website, the Kamakhya temple, 7 km from Guwahati, is one of the largest Shakti shrines in the country. Situated on the Nilachal hills, it is an important pilgrimage centre for tantric worshippers and Hindus. Several other pujas are organised in this temple, including Durga Puja, Durgadeul and Madandeul. Some of the other pujas performed in this temple include Manasa Puja, Pohan Biya and Vasanti Puja. (ANI)
India Gazette
7 days ago
- India Gazette
Assam: Devotees flock to Kamakhya Temple for Ambubachi Mela
Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 23 (ANI): A large number of devotees on Monday visited the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati to offer prayers on the second day of the four-day Ambubachi Mela. The annual event honours the menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya, believed to embody feminine power. Ambubachi Mela takes place during the monsoon season, specifically in the Assamese month of Ahaar, around the middle of June. This year, tit will be celebrated from June 22 to June 26. Interestingly, the temple is closed on this day since the goddess is said to be menstruating for these four days. After conducting Ambubachi Prabritti rituals, the main door of the Kamakhya temple closed on Sunday and will be reopened on June 26. It is one of the most revered centres of Tantric practices. It is regarded as one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. The annual Ambubachi Mela, one of Assam's most revered Hindu festivals, commenced on Sunday at the historic Kamakhya Temple atop the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati. The event began with traditional rituals, marking the start of the four-day-long celebration that draws devotees from across India and abroad. The Kamakhya temple management committee and the Kamrup (Metro) district administration have made all arrangements for the Ambubachi Mela. Meawhile, in a post on X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma extended wishes for the festival, 'Today marks the beginning of the #Ambubachi Mahayog, an annual celebration of Maa Kamakhya's divine femininity. Spiritual Gurus and devotees from across the country will dawn upon the sacred Nilachal Hills to pray for Bharat. I welcome all pilgrims to Assam & wish everyone a divine experience and the choicest blessings of Maa Kamakhya.' According to the government of Assam website, the Kamakhya temple, 7 km from Guwahati, is one of the largest Shakti shrines in the country. Situated on the Nilachal hills, it is an important pilgrimage centre for tantric worshippers and Hindus. Several other pujas are organised in this temple, including Durga Puja, Durgadeul and Madandeul. Some of the other pujas performed in this temple include Manasa Puja, Pohan Biya and Vasanti Puja. (ANI)
