Dip in footfall will restore simplicity of festival: Kamakhya temple priest

Time of India

24-06-2025

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Guwahati: The third day of the Ambubachi Mahayog witnessed a steady flow of pilgrims arriving at the Kamakhya temple. Devotees from across the country and even abroad have been braving the rains and logistical hurdles to be a part of the four day spiritual congregation.
However, temple authorities said compared to previous years, they have witnessed a perceptible dip in the overall footfall this year. While lakhs are still attending, the slightly reduced numbers are not being seen as a sign of warning but as a positive shift in understanding.
Kabindra Prasad Sarma, head priest of the temple, said approximately eight lakh pilgrims have arrived so far. "People are slowly grasping the true essence of the Mahayog.
It is not just about the rituals or the atmosphere. It is a deeply spiritual occasion which brings about introspection, reverence for the divine feminine and a deeper connection to the earth. We have witnessed a slight dip in the overall footfall, which is much better.
In fact, we hope that in the years to come, the festival returns to the simplicity and sanctity of its earlier days," Sarma added.
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Sarma is confident that devotees are now consciously avoiding the over commercialisation that has crept into the festival in recent years, choosing instead to engage in quieter, more meaningful observances, either at the temple or at home. In addition to that, he also noted that the strict directives issued by the district administration, including reduced visiting hours, ban on large crowd gatherings and restricted VIP access, and increased risk of landslides have also played a vital role in the reduction.
The four-day spiritual congregation, which began on Sunday at 2.56 pm, will come to an end on Thursday morning at 3.19 am.