Ambubachi Mela

The Ambubachi Mela (/ˈæmbʊˌbɑ:ʧɪ,ˌæmbʊˈbɑ:ʧɪ ˈmeɪlə, mi:lə/) is an annual Hindu mela held at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam.[4] This yearly mela is celebrated during the monsoon season that happens to fall during the Assamese month Ahaar, around the middle of June when sun transit to the zodiac of Mithuna, when the Brahmaputra river is in spate.[5][6][7] It is the celebration of the yearly menstruation course of goddess Kamakhya.[5] It is believed that the presiding goddess of the temple, Devi Kamakhya, the Mother Shakti, goes through her annual cycle of menstruation during this time stretch.[6] It is also believed that during the monsoon rains, the creative and nurturing power of the 'menses' of Mother Earth becomes accessible to devotees at this site during the mela. There is no idol of the presiding deity but she is worshipped in the form of a yoni-like stone instead over which a natural spring flows.[5][6]

Ambubachi Mela
Kamakhya temple
Observed byHindus
TypeReligious, folk
DateMiddle of June
Frequencyannual
Part of a series on the
Culture of Assam

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, standing on one leg for hours at a stretch.[7]

The mela
Gathering of people at Ambubashi Mela at India's Kamakhya Temple

The temple remains closed for three days during the mela[5][6] for it is believed that mother earth becomes unclean 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.[5] After three days devi Kamakhya is bathed and other rituals are performed to ensure that the devi retrieves her purity.[6] Then the doors of the temple are reopened[5][6][7] and prasad is distributed.[5][7] On the fourth day the devotees are allowed to enter the temple and worship devi Kamakhya. In 2016, the dates of the Ambubachi festival were between 22 and 26 June. [6][7] In 2017, the dates of the Ambubachi mela were between 22 and 26 June.[8]

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 stone yoni during the days of menstruation.[5]

Pilgrims
Sadhus gathered at Kamakhya Temple for the Ambubachi Mela

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 Aghoras, the Khade-babas, the Baul or singing minstrels of West Bengal, intellectual and folk Tantriks, Sadhus and Sadhvis with long matted hair etc.[5][7] Even foreigners from abroad come to seek blessings of mother Kamakhya.[7]

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See also

References
  1. "639 Identifier Documentation: aho – ISO 639-3". SIL International (formerly known as the Summer Institute of Linguistics). SIL International. Retrieved 29 June 2019. Ahom [aho]
  2. "Population by Religious Communities". Census India – 2001. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 1 July 2019. Census Data Finder/C Series/Population by Religious Communities
  3. "Population by religion community – 2011". Census of India, 2011. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015.
  4. "Ambubachi Puja and Mela 2015 at Kamakhya Temple". Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  5. Chawla, Janet (16 September 2002). "Celebrating The Divine Female Principle". Boloji.com. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  6. "Ambubachi Fair". Bharatonline.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  7. Admin (17 September 2009). "A Mystic Festival To Draw Thousands". 360degreeworld.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  8. "Ambabuchi Mela 2017".
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