Latest news with #Ambubachi
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on significance of the Ambubachi festival and jet streams (Week 109)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today's answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-1 to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Discuss the role of Ambubachi festival in shaping religious tourism and local economies in North-East India. Discuss the formation, characteristics, and seasonal variability of jet streams. How does modern aviation strategically utilises these atmospheric currents, citing their benefits and potential hazards? Introduction — The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction. — It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts. Body — It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content. — The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points. — Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse. — Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer. — Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required. Way forward/ conclusion — The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction. — You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers. Self Evaluation — It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers. QUESTION 1: Discuss the role of Ambubachi festival in shaping religious tourism and local economies in North-East India. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The event takes place during the monsoon season, usually in June, at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, which is a shrine to the Goddess Kamakhya and one of the most prominent Tantrik Shakti centres. — The event is associated with fertility, the beginning of the monsoon season, and the common historical connotation of a fertile woman among nations on Earth. The name 'Ambubachi' literally means 'water flowing.' Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — During Ambubachi, devotees at this spot are said to have access to the creative and nurturing power of mother Earth's'menses' during monsoon rain. During this time, all agricultural activities, including ploughing and sowing, are suspended. — The Kamakhya Temple has a long and complicated history, reaching back at least to the early years of the Common Era, but its beginnings are thought to be far older. It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, most notably in the 16th century by Koch monarch Naranarayana, giving the current edifice a mix of ancient and mediaeval architecture. — 'Ambubachi' means 'spoken with water,' and it signifies that the rains expected this month would make the ground fruitful and suitable for conception. Daily worship is halted at this time. All agricultural activities, including digging, ploughing, sowing, and transplanting crops, are outlawed. — The concept of Ambubachi thus has formative effects, as well as components of agricultural, social, and religious beliefs that have led to the phenomenon's emergence. It is thus symbolic and religiously sanctioned. Conclusion: — The Ambubachi period is thought to correspond to the goddess's annual menstruation, and the shrine is shuttered during this time. At the end of the period, the shrine's doors are ceremonially opened, and devotees flock to see the deity. This year, the shrine remained closed from June 22 to 25, then reopened on June 26. (Source: Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya temple: Significance of major Assam religious festival, Points to Ponder Read about other important festivals of North-East India Related Previous Year Questions How does Indian society maintain continuity in traditional social values? Enumerate the changes taking place in it. (2021) QUESTION 2: Discuss the formation, characteristics, and seasonal variability of jet streams. How does modern aviation strategically utilises these atmospheric currents, citing their benefits and potential hazards? Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — Jet streams are narrow bands of high winds that travel thousands of miles from west to east. Major jet streams are found near the higher regions of the atmosphere, around 9 to 16 kilometres above the earth's surface, and can reach speeds of over 320 kph. — The jet streams move to the north or south depending on the season. During the winter, the wind current is strongest. They are also closer to the equator in the winter. — The three main jet streams are the Polar Front, Subtropical, and Tropical jet streams. In India, the tropical jet stream influences the origin and duration of the summer monsoon. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: Formation of Jet Streams — They are generated because of two key ingredients: rotation and heating. — The earth is unevenly heated due to the disproportionate concentration of solar heating in the tropics and the absence of warmth at the poles. This causes the atmosphere to move, as some particles of air become warmer and more buoyant than others. But the globe also rotates, which limits the resulting fluid flow, notably in the north-south direction. These two elements cause the ensuing flow to spread west-eastward and produce jet streams. Characteristics of Jet Streams — These are narrow bands of strong winds blowing from west to east. — They follow the boundary between hot and cold air. — During the winter months in both the northern and southern hemispheres, jet streams are at their fiercest. Conclusion: How does modern aviation utilise atmospheric currents? — Most commercial flights fly at jet stream altitude, and a strong jet stream can offer a powerful tailwind to a trip heading from west to east, such as the British Airways journey from New York to London. This helps to minimise travel time for such planes by increasing their speeds. — Modern aviation takes advantage of air currents in several important ways: — Jet streams, or high-altitude winds, can considerably cut flight time and fuel consumption when flown with, whereas turbulence, another atmospheric phenomenon, necessitates careful management and mitigation measures. — Airlines intentionally plan routes to use jet streams for eastward trips, decreasing travel time and fuel consumption. They avoid regions of known turbulence to protect passenger comfort and safety. (Source: What is a jet stream, which helped a flight beat speed record?, Points to Ponder Read about polar vortices, and atmospheric rivers What are Rossby waves? Related Previous Year Questions What is the phenomenon of 'Cloudbursts'? Explain. (2024) What is the concept of a 'demographic winter'? Is the world moving towards such a situation? Elaborate. (2024) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 108) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 109) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 108) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 109) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 108) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 107) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
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First Post
29-06-2025
- First Post
Beyond Kamakhya: Dirgheshwari temple and the shaktism of Assam
Not as well-known as the Kamakhya, the Dirgheshwari Devalaya is an important part of the Shakti worship narrative of this culturally rich region — a fine blend of mythology, Tantric worship, Ahom history and living traditions read more The latter part of June is always an exciting time to be in Assam, especially to be in Guwahati and even more so if one happens to visit the iconic Kamakhya shrine. It is the time for the annual festival of Ambubachi, a festival that celebrates the menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya. The place is teeming with people after the festival and once a visitor has had his darshan, he would be well advised to head north. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Across the Brahmaputra, in Kamrup district, are several ancient temples of great interest to explorers and history buffs. Temples like the Dirgheshwari. Standing atop the Braghyachal Hill, the temple shares many similarities with the Kamakhya. Dated to ancient times, the current structure was constructed under the patronage of the Ahom ruler Siva Singha, who reigned in the first half of the 18th century CE. Gateway to the Dirgheshwari Temple complex The location on a rocky hill, amid natural vegetation and the river not far away, reminds one of what the Kamakhya may once have been before the area changed character and became urbanized. The word 'Dirgheshwari' translates into 'the eternal' or 'long-lived' Goddess and symbolizes an ever-present form of Shakti. Like the Kamakhya, this temple too was sacred for Tantric practices. According to folklore, the Dirgheshwari Temple is a Shakti Peetha. It is believed that when Satri's body was dismembered, parts fell in different places across the Indian subcontinent. It is believed that while her womb fell on the spot where the Kamakhya Temple was built, another part – of lesser importance – fell on the Braghyachal Hill. The Dirgheshwari, thus, is a Upa Peetha, meaning subordinate. A visitor enters the complex via a recently built gateway flanked by two stone tigers (as shown in the lead picture). A long flight of steps leads up to the shrine. Another gateway comes up, painted a bright pink, with two gold-painted icons embedded in its walls. The colours of the brick temple inside are similarly bright, but a step into the inner sanctum reveals a very different picture. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Into the inner sanctum of the Dirgheshwari Temple complex The sanctum of the Dirgheshwari Temple is a subdued place compared to the colourful exterior. The main idol, of Durga, is considered a Svayambhu or self-manifested. Like many other Shakti shrines, this sanctum is part of a natural rock formation. The interior is rather dark, almost cave-like. Embellishment is by way of red cloth and flowers, but the overall effect is of minimalism. Within the temple compound are several scattered idols which appear ancient, perhaps part of the original temple that once stood here. The priests here follow Shakta traditions of worship, blending Vedic and Tantric rituals. In line with such traditions, animal sacrifice is still prevalent – another aspect that links it to the Kamakhya. And similarly, this temple too marks the Ambubachi Mela, albeit on a much smaller scale than the fair at the Kamakhya. Crowds are also seen on Sankranti and Amavasya here. Locals, especially women, visit the temple seeking blessings for fertility, health and protection. Their offerings comprise vermilion, bangles, and coconuts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Braghyachal Hill is home to more than just one temple, however significant. The first thing that strikes a visitor when he begins walking up are the many icons carved on the hill rocks. Numerous in count and spread across the hill in a rather unplanned manner, these carved icons date back to the 11th century, and many have become shrines in their own right. There are multiple depictions of Ganesha, including one of immense size that has been coloured orange with layers of vermilion. A Hanuman carving, of almost the same proportions, is close by. A Ganesha icon on the Braghyachal Hill that has become a shrine Amidst the numerous divine forms carved here is a Ganesha with another celestial being next to it. A Shiva linga is carved into the ground, and the faithful have placed multiple tridents in proximity. Near at hand is a plain area of rock with a few holes in it. Local lore holds that this spot marked the place where Shiva's consort Parvati used to weave. As a result, local women offer threads at this spot to get Parvati's blessings for becoming experts in weaving themselves. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A carved Ganesha icon on the Braghyachal Hill Far from the crowds that throng the Kamakhya through the year, amidst the forests, the Dirgheshwari is a study in solitude and devotion. It is in this rural setting that one can appreciate the Ambubachi Mela better. 'Ambubachi' refers to being 'spoken with water'. Rain is expected to follow the festival to make the earth fertile and ready for procreation. During the four-day period of this festival, daily worship is forbidden, as are agricultural activities. On the fourth day, with Ambubachi concluded, household items and clothes are washed and purified with sacred waters. Entry to the shrine is now considered auspicious. And agricultural tasks follow, indicating the deeply intertwined relationship between rural occupations, religion and social practices. The core ethos of this festival is perhaps easier to comprehend in the rural landscape of a Dirgheshwari than in an urban setting. Not as well-known as the Kamakhya, the Dirgheshwari Devalaya is an important part of the Shakti worship narrative of this culturally rich region. A fine blend of mythology, Tantric worship, Ahom history and living traditions, it is a place that invites both pilgrims and explorers. Nor is Braghyachal Hill an isolated spot. In its vicinity are other sacred shrines such as the Aswakranta, Kurmajanardan, Manikarneshwar and Rudreshwar devalayas, apart from the vast complex that houses the now-ruined Madan Kamdev. Next time you visit Guwahati, venture north of the Brahmaputra to see undiscovered Assam. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The author is a heritage explorer with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Time of India
Kamakhya to get ropeway links from rly station, Sonaram Field
Guwahati: City will soon have two ropeway projects connecting the Kamakhya temple atop Nilachal Hills, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday. During his visit to the temple — two days after the conclusion of the Ambubachi Mahayog — Sarma said one ropeway will originate from Kamakhya railway station, while the other will connect Sonaram Field to the temple. "Work on both ropeways is underway, and construction will start soon as tenders have already been floated. The ropeway from Kamakhya railway station is expected to be completed first, followed by the Sonaram Field route," Sarma said. "The process took some time, as we had to acquire land from the temple authorities. But things are now moving fast, and the project should be completed soon," added Sarma. The CM also revealed that feasibility studies are being conducted for several other ropeway projects in the state, including routes at Barak's Bhuban Tirtha and Umataloni in Biswanath. Construction work on these has already started. Offering prayers at the temple on Saturday, Sarma said, "Ambubachi ended two days ago, but I couldn't visit earlier due to the heavy footfall of devotees. I feel fortunate to have received Maa Kamakhya's darshan today." He thanked the temple management committee and the tourism department for successfully organising the Ambubachi Mahayog. "I thank the temple authorities, the tourism department, minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass, and others involved in the event," he added.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Visitors leave, trash remains on roads
1 2 3 4 5 6 Guwahati: Piles of food waste, used plastic and thermocol plates left by devotees have created an unsanitary situation in several areas, including Bhootnath temple, Pandu, following the conclusion of the Ambubachi Mahayog at Kamakhya temple on Thursday. The accumulated garbage, primarily generated after devotees consumed meals from community kitchens, has begun emitting foul odors and poses health concerns for residents and pilgrims in the area. "Workers of GMC did not come to collect garbage today. Maybe GMC workers are more focused on cleaning the area near the temple but over a thousand devotees stayed near the Bhootnath temple and they ate from the community kitchens operating in the area and the smell from accumulated food waste is becoming unbearable," a shop owner said. Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) mayor Mrigen Sarania said, "The GMC has been working tirelessly throughout the Ambubachi Mahayog to maintain cleanliness and sanitation. Our workers are working round the clock, but the sheer volume of devotees created unprecedented challenges. Our teams are now working to address any remaining cleanup requirements systematically." "GMC will continue this cleanup process till June 28 to keep our city clean and sanitised after the Ambubachi, many devotees are still present in the city and they have meals from various community kitchens due to which food waste gets accumulated quickly even after cleaning the areas continuously," added Sarania. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo A local resident of Kamakhya gate, Jyotiprakash Pathak expressed, "This year situation is better, areas near the Kamakhya temple is being regularly cleaned by the GMC workers, earlier after the conclusion of Ambubachi Mela the whole area used to be dirty, with garbage and devotees' footwears lying around here and there, but now the situation has improved." Pathak added, "The area near the Boothnath temple needs serious attention from the GMC, as the area started emitting foul smell from leftover food that the devotees had from the community kitchens." Many NGOs and social organisations also organised cleanliness drives to keep the areas near the Kamakhya temple and camps for devotees clean amid the Ambubachi Mahayog. Two such organisations are 'Voice of Environment' (VoE) and Gauhati University unit's National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers. According to a senior member of VoE, Moharana Choudhury, they organised a cleanliness drive at the Kamakhya station camp in effort to keep the area clean. Mangal Seal, a NSS volunteer stated that they ran a cleanliness drive at the end of the day after serving refreshments to the devotees.
India Gazette
26-06-2025
- 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)
