The Ambubachi Mela () is an annual Hindu mela (gathering) held at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam.
Ambubachi Mela is the celebration of the yearly menstruation course of goddess Kamakhya.
Tantric fertility festival
This mela is also known as
Ameti or
Tantric fertility festival since it is closely associated with Tantric
Shakti cult prevalent in eastern parts of
India. Even some Tantric Babas make their public appearances only during these four days. The rest of the year, they remain in seclusion. Some Babas are seen displaying their psychic powers like putting their heads in a pit and stand upright on it, or standing on one leg for hours at a stretch.
The mela
The temple remains closed for three days during the mela
for it is believed that Goddess
Kamakhya rests for three days like the traditional women's menstrual seclusion. During these three days some restrictions are observed by the devotees like not cooking, not performing puja or reading holy books, no farming etc.
After three days, the Goddess is bathed and other rituals are performed to ensure that Goddess Kamakhya is back to her original form.
Then the doors of the temple are reopened
and
prasad is distributed.
On the fourth day the devotees are allowed to enter the temple and worship devi Kamakhya.
The prasad
The
prasad is distributed in two forms – Angodak and Angabastra. Angodak literally means the fluid part of the body - water from the spring and Angabastra literally means the cloth covering the body - a piece of the red cloth used to cover the yoni rock fissure during the days of menstruation.
Pilgrims
Every year lakhs of pilgrims, starting from
Sadhus to householders, from all over India, come to Guwahati to observe this festival. They include
Sanyasins, black clad
Aghori, the
Khade-babas, the
Baul or singing minstrels of West Bengal, intellectual and folk
Tantriks,
Sadhus and
Sadhvis with long matted hair etc.
Even foreigners from abroad come to seek blessings of mother Kamakhya.
See also
External links
