Pilgrims from across India are arriving at the Nilachal Hills shrine as preparations intensify for the four-day Ambubachi Mela, one of the largest spiritual gatherings in Northeast India
Guwahati: With just days remaining for the start of Ambubachi Mela 2026, the sacred Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati is witnessing a steady stream of devotees seeking blessings before one of the most significant religious festivals in the country.
The annual festival, held atop the Nilachal Hills, will begin at 9:08 pm on June 22 and continue until June 26. Temple priest Kabindra Prasad said special rituals will be conducted during the observance, after which the shrine will reopen for public darshan.
“The Ambubachi Mela this year will begin on June 22 at 9:08 pm. On June 26, after the special puja, darshan will be conducted for all devotees. Preparations are being carried out in coordination with the Mela Committee,” he said.
Often referred to as the “Mahakumbh of the East,” the four-day festival commemorates the annual menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya, a symbol of fertility and feminine power. As part of tradition, the temple’s sanctum remains closed for three days before reopening on the fourth day.
Devotees arriving from different parts of the country described the experience as spiritually enriching. Vipul, a visitor from Hyderabad, said he felt a unique sense of energy and fulfilment at the temple, while Nandini Kaur spoke of the peace she experienced during darshan.
Meanwhile, authorities and organisers are strengthening security, accommodation and crowd-management arrangements to handle the lakhs of pilgrims, saints and visitors expected during the festival.
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