Thousands of devotees thronged the Kamakhya Temple as its doors reopened after the four-day Ambubachi observance, marking the conclusion of one of India’s largest religious gatherings
Guwahati: The Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati reopened to devotees on Friday following the conclusion of the four-day Ambubachi Mela, with thousands queuing from the early hours to offer prayers as one of India’s largest religious gatherings came to an end.
The shrine had remained closed since Monday evening in observance of the annual ritual, during which Goddess Kamakhya is believed to undergo her menstrual cycle. The temple doors were reopened after the customary ceremonial bath and worship of the deity.
Temple authorities said devotees began assembling before dawn to participate in the first darshan after the reopening. “The temple doors will remain open till sunset today. We hope that the devotees can have a peaceful darshan,” a temple official said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said more than 8 lakh devotees participated in this year’s Ambubachi Mela, underscoring its spiritual and cultural significance. “The underlying phenomenon behind the Ambubachi at Maa Kamakhya has no parallel anywhere. It is emblematic of the centrality of Nari Shakti in Assam’s civilisational heritage,” he said in a post on X.
The Ambubachi Mela attracts pilgrims, ascetics, tantrics and visitors from across India and abroad every year. The festival also generated heavy footfall across Guwahati, leading to traffic diversions and congestion around Nilachal Hill during the peak days.
Official figures show that 7,72,019 devotees, including 42 foreign nationals, attended the festival in 2025, while 7,46,066 devotees, including 20 foreigners, visited in 2024, highlighting the event’s growing religious and tourism appeal.
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