Ambubachi Houba

The Ambubachi Festival, also known as Ambubachi Mela, is an annual Hindu festival celebrated at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam, India. It is one of the most significant festivals in the region and holds great religious and cultural importance, especially among followers of Tantric traditions.

The Ambubachi Festival is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kamakhya, who is worshipped as the embodiment of feminine power and fertility. According to Hindu mythology, Kamakhya Devi is believed to menstruate during the Ambubachi period, and her temple remains closed for three days as a symbolic representation of her menstruation cycle. The temple reopens on the fourth day, known as “Nabapatrika Snan” or “Nabagraha Puja,” symbolizing the rejuvenation of the goddess.

The festival typically falls in the Hindu month of Ashadha, during the monsoon season, around mid-June. Devotees from various parts of India, particularly from Assam and neighboring states, gather at the Kamakhya Temple to participate in the festivities and seek the blessings of the goddess.

During the Ambubachi Festival, the Kamakhya Temple complex buzzes with religious fervor and cultural activities. Devotees offer prayers, perform rituals, and make offerings to the goddess, seeking her divine blessings for prosperity, fertility, and fulfillment of desires. The festival is also marked by various rituals, including tantric practices, traditional music and dance performances, and spiritual discourses by revered saints and scholars.

One of the unique aspects of the Ambubachi Festival is the presence of sadhus, ascetics, and tantric practitioners who converge at the Kamakhya Temple during this time. They engage in meditation, spiritual practices, and discussions on tantra, offering spiritual guidance to devotees and seekers.

The Ambubachi Festival is not only a religious event but also a cultural extravaganza that showcases the rich heritage and traditions of Assam. It fosters a sense of community, unity, and devotion among participants, transcending barriers of caste, creed, and ethnicity.

Overall, the Ambubachi Festival is a vibrant celebration of faith, devotion, and spirituality, drawing devotees and visitors from far and wide to experience the divine grace and mystical aura of the Kamakhya Temple.