Kamakhya Temple is the abode of Goddess Kamakhya, Mother Shakthi. The holy shrine is situated at Nilachal hills in the western part of the Guwahati city, Assam, India. The most important and unique festival of the temple is Ambubachi Mela. This annual festival is celebrated in the Assamese month "Ahaar"(last week of June) for three days in every year. This mela is also known as "Ambuvachi", "Ambuvaci", "Ameti " or "Tantric fertility festival". It is a great tantric festival for Maa Kamakhya devotees.
This year 2014, Ambubachi Mela begins on June 22, 2014(Sunday) and ends on June 26, 2014(Thursday) in Devi Kamakhya Temple. The temple doors will be closed at 6:30pm on Sunday and it will be opened at 7:00am on June 26, 2014(Thursday)
Unique Feature of Kamakhya Temple, Assam:
The temple is an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Tantric worshipers. The unique feature of the temple is that " There is no idol of the presiding deity but Goddess Maa Kamakhya is worshipped in the form of a Yoni-like Stone instead over which a natural spring flows". The temple remains closed for three days during Ambubachi Mela.
Significance of Ambubachi Mela, Devi Kamakhya Temple:
The Ambubachi Mela is held every year to celebrate menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya Devi. It is believed that the Goddess Devi Kamakhya undergoes her annual cycle of menstruation period. During these three days period, the devotees are observed some restrictions like not
performing Puja, not reading holy books, no farming, no cooking etc.,
A pure white cotton cloth is placed in the yoni and the temple is sealed at the time of beginning of Ambubachi mela. When the temple is reopened the cloth is found to be soaked with a dark red substance. The cotton cloth will be made into small pieces or threads and distributed as prasadam to devotees after opening the temple.
On the fourth day, the temple doors are reopened after performing religious rituals and devotees are allowed to enter the temple for worship of Goddess Kamakhya, the Mother MahaShakthi.
Every year, lakhs of devotees come to the holy shrine to observe this festival from all over India and also from different parts of the world.
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