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Time of India
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Dip in footfall will restore simplicity of festival: Kamakhya temple priest
1 2 3 4 5 6 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. You Can Also Check: Guwahati AQI | Weather in Guwahati | Bank Holidays in Guwahati | Public Holidays in Guwahati 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.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Time of India
Devotees arrive at Nilachal Hills for Ambubachi mahayog
1 2 Guwahati: As the Ambubachi Mahayog, the annual spiritual congregation, begins on Sunday, thousands of devotees from across the country have started arriving at the Nilachal Hills, home to the ancient Kamakhya Temple. The four-day festival marks the annual menstruation cycle of the goddess Kamakhya, making it one of the most significant spiritual gatherings in the northeastern state. Kabindra Prasad Sarma, bor doloi (head priest) of the temple, said the Mahayog is scheduled to commence at 2:56 pm on Sunday and will conclude at 3:00 am on June 26. The areas of Bharalu, Bhutnath, Maligaon, and Adabari are already witnessing a massive influx of devotees who have begun arriving from Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, settling there ahead of the Mahayog. Temporary tents and bhandaras (community kitchens) have been set up in these localities to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. The streets and open spaces in these areas are brimming with activity as the crowd continues to swell with each passing hour, indicating the scale of participation this year. While some have consistently run community kitchens over the years, this year many have stepped up for the first time, claiming they are inspired by the spirit of service during the Ambubachi. "This is the first time we opened a stall, where we will be serving food and water to the pilgrims. We pooled in the necessary resources and got our tent registered at the district administration's office," said Anuvaa Dutta, a resident from Adabari. Meanwhile, Bishwajit Paul, a resident of Pandu who sets up a community kitchen near Pandu Port, said they usually begin operations on the day of the Mahayog. However, due to the overwhelming crowd this year, they were compelled to open a day in advance. "Earlier, tents used to be set up at both Pandu Port and the Kamakhya Railway Station, but this time, the majority of devotees are staying in tents erected on the port premises itself. So, we had to open the gates today. Starting Sunday, we will be serving three meals a day, along with drinks and snacks," he said. Paul also added that the cost of running the community kitchen is very high, as last year, their daily expenditure went up to Rs 1.20 lakh, and this time, they are expecting it to rise even further.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Time of India
City gears up for Ambubachi Mela, dist admin to inspect today
Guwahati: With the four-day-long Ambubachi Mahayog, previously known as Ambubachi Mela, scheduled from June 22 to June 26, the city is making extensive preparations for the annual spiritual congregation at the Kamakhya temple to mark the revered menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While the Kamrup (Metro) district administration is slated to conduct an inspection on Monday, officials have confirmed that camps capable of accommodating nearly 20,000 devotees have been set up near the Kamakhya railway station and Pandu ghat, and these will become operational from June 20. Furthermore, medical camps staffed with doctors and essential medicines will be established to cater to the devotees' health needs. To ensure round-the-clock monitoring and security, about 300 CCTV cameras are being installed in and around the temple premises. Kabindra Prasad Sarma, the head priest of the temple, said the temple doors will close at 2:56 PM on June 22 and will reopen on the morning of June 26, after the completion of the rituals. With an estimated 25 lakh devotees attending last year, comprehensive preparations are underway to ensure their convenience, he added. Recognizing the discomfort of walking barefoot in intense heat, approximately 3.5 km of the stretch from the nursery to the temple, as well as parts of the temple premises, will be carpeted. Vehicles will not be permitted on this route and devotees will need to leave their footwear near the nursery. Tourism minister Ranjit Kumar Dass had previously chaired a meeting with various departments and the temple management committee, where it was decided that, similar to last year, no VIP passes will be issued during the congregation. To ensure the smooth conduct of the event, a budget of Rs 4.55 crore has been allocated.
