Kamakhya Temple During Ambubachi: 5 Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know
Introduction
One of the most powerful Shakti Peethas in India, Kamakhya Temple is located on the Nilachal Hills, Guwahati, Assam. One of the oldest temples in India, it is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, symbolically representing feminine energy and fertility. Kamakhya is special not only because of its spiritual history, but also because of the festival Ambubachi Mela which takes place every year in June.
During Ambubachi Mela, the temple attracts huge crowds of millions of pilgrims, saints, tantrics, and curious travelers. The mela is deeply spiritually significant, especially to those who follow the Shakta, and Tantric way of life. While many things may be unknown to an ordinary devotee or visitor, it is even more special because of the experience with the unknown.
1. The Temple Closes for 3 Days — Here’s Why
Unlike other Hindu festivals with festivities and parades, Ambubachi Mela starts with closure and quietude, which is really both spiritual and symbolic.
It is believed that during Ambubachi, goddess Kamakhya experiences her annual menstruation. For this reason, for three complete days, the temple will be closed. There is no puja (worship), there is no darshan (viewing), and there are no rituals. Devotees are not allowed inside, and the sanctum sanctorum will also be closed off.
This idea is deeply rooted in both fertility, womanhood, and the natural cycle. The earth herself is viewed as a mother who needs to rest and flower. The closure is a representation of this natural closure, while also a stark warning against exploring the power and purity of menstruation – a topic often shied away from in religious traditions.
2. No Idol Worship – Only a Sacred Yoni
Another important aspect of the Kamakhya Temple is that there is no idol of a goddess in the temple. Instead, devotees worship a yoni-shaped stone as a representation of the female reproductive system and Shakti (divine feminine power).
The yoni is kept inside a cave, a naturally occurring cavern that is continually washed by a steady stream of underground water. The devotees see it as the very essence of creation and life. This is organized by Kamakhya particularly during Ambubachi where at that time period it is certainly more awe-inspiring.
The lack of an idol is a reflection of the central ideology of formless energy. In this temple, Shakti is not perceived as human, but more in her most pure elemental state.
3. The Tantric Connection Runs Deep
The Kamakhya Temple not only serves a religious purpose, but it is also a center of Tantric practice. In fact, it is one of the biggest Tantric centers in the world. This is truer than normal during Ambubachi Mela when hundreds of tantrics, sadhus, and aghoris travel to temple from diverse backgrounds across India.
Many tantrics believe that the sakti of Kamakhya, the spiritual energy, is at its highest during Ambubachi. Many tantrics come to perform powerful Tantric sadhana and puja, often on the down-low. While most of the pilgrims and devotees visit to receive blessings during darshan, the tantrics are interested in awakening spiritually and accessing knowledge that is hidden from most.
4. A Sea of Devotees Sleeping Under the Sky
During the four-day Ambubachi Mela, we find 8 to 10 lakh pilgrims attending Kamakhya each year. The sheer number of pilgrims makes it impossible for all visitors to utilize Guwahati’s permanent structures in successfully accommodating all visitors. While some individuals may get to stay at guest houses nearby, most pilgrims sleep on the ground, under the sky, somestimes under tents, but often on plastic sheets or mats.
The memory of thousands of people, sleeping at the side of the road, on the temple campus, and in school grounds is an unforgettable sight to behold.
5. Prasad is Given When the Goddess ‘Returns’
Kamakhya opens after three days of temple closure. The reopening ceremony on the fourth day involves much ritual and celebration. The reopening of Kamakhya is considered a divine rebirth of the Goddess.
On this day, devotees are offered two sacred items as prasad:
Angodak – Sacral water from the yoni-shaped stone.
Angabastra – Red cloth that had been offered to the Goddess during her seclusion.
The two items are thought to carry divine blessing, particularly for fertility, curing illness, and protection. Many devotees specifically come to receive the sacrament/reliquary/prasad, as neither is available when visiting the temple at other times.
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Bonus: Helpful Hints for First-Time Visitors to Ambubachi Mela
Are you attending the Ambubachi Mela as a newcomer? Here are some hints to prepare for the event:
Best Time: Two days prior to the date of the mela. Since the temple will close for the 3-day event, you will have time to settle in.
Where to Stay: Government temporary camps and dharamshalas located close to the temple. If you want a more comfortable stay, secure hotels in Guwahati well in advance.
Health and Safety Suggestions: Stay hydrated. Use mosquito repellent. Be careful about where you eat food and avoid highly populated areas.
What to Bring: Sleeping mat or sheet, reusable water bottles, non-perishable snacks, basic medications, good walking shoes. Plan for rain, it is monsoon season in Assam in June.
Conclusion
Kamakhya Temple provides a spiritual experience like no other during Ambubachi Mela. It is not only a form of worship, but it is a conglomeration of events. Each part of Ambubachi is its own unique experience, from the special closure to the prasad that accompanies the mystic energy of this event, we humans are always reminded of our connectedness with nature, womanhood, and God or the divine realm.
Whether you are interested in ancient traditions or you are a seeker that identifies with spiritual energy, Kamakhya during Ambubachi is something you should experience at least once in your life — a celebration of life, rest, and renewal, all within the sacred feminine.
