Ambubachi Mela is a significant annual religious festival held at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam. It marks the annual menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya, who is believed to be an embodiment of feminine energy and fertility. The event typically takes place in the month of June, coinciding with the monsoon season, during the Ashadha month of the Hindu calendar.
For three days, the temple remains closed as it is believed that the goddess undergoes her menstrual period. During this time, all agricultural and religious activities are suspended. On the fourth day, after a ritual purification, the temple reopens, and thousands of devotees from across India and neighboring countries gather to receive the goddess’s blessings.
This mela is unique because it openly honors menstruation as a natural and powerful aspect of womanhood—unlike many other traditions that consider it taboo.
Ambubachi Mela 2025 - Date & Time
Ambubachi Festival is a four-day affair that happens in the month of Ahaar, i.e. in the month of June. This year, the event will run from 22nd June to 26th June. It is celebrated at Kamakhya Devi Temple which is located in Nilachal Hill, Guwahati in Assam.
Please Note: The Kamakhya temple will remain closed from 22nd June to 26th June. The gates will open on 25th June, 2025.
History & Significance of Ambubachi Mela
One of the most sacred festivals celebrated in Assam, Ambubachi Mela has been an integral part of Kamakhya Devi Temple for centuries now. The temple is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas where the yoni (vagina & womb) of Goddess Sati fell when Lord Shiva was carrying her corpse in grief and rage.
According to legends, the Ambubachi Mela is organised annually to observe the presiding goddess's menstrual cycle. The temple remains closed for the initial three days and is opened only on the fourth day when a large number of devotees, sadhus and tantric mark their presence in front of the goddess.
Receiving Rakta Bastra, a piece of cloth soaked in the goddess’s menstrual fluid is a privilege for devotees as it is considered her blessing. Ambubachi Mela is also known as Ameti or Tantric Fertility Festival as these four auspicious days of mela are the personification of women’s fertility and childbearing capabilities.
Highlights of Ambubachi Mela 2025
During the first three days of the Ambubachi Mela, agricultural activities in the region, reading of sacred texts and entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the temple are prohibited as it is believed that the goddess undergoes her menstrual phase during these days. Also, no religious practice is done by the devotees gathered around the temple.
Ritual Significance
- The temple remains closed for three days, symbolizing the seclusion of the goddess.
- Religious activities, including cooking and farming, are paused by many devotees in reverence.
- The temple reopens on the fourth day with Snan (purification rituals), followed by darshan and the distribution of Angodak (holy water) and Angabastra (sacred cloth).
Access and Mobility
- A 3.5 km carpeted walkway will allow devotees to walk barefoot comfortably.
- A repaired 4 km alternate route via Pandu, along with special shuttle services and additional trains, will ensure smoother transportation.
Cultural Experience
- Alongside religious rituals, the mela features folk music, traditional performances, local crafts, and Assamese cuisine stalls, offering a deep cultural immersion.
- The ambiance is charged with Tantric rituals, spiritual chants, and vibrant pilgrim gatherings.
How To Reach Ambubachi Mela
The Ambubachi Mela 2025 is organised at the sacred temple of Kamakhya Devi which is located in Guwahati, Assam. Guwahati is well-connected with the major cities of India like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Here is how you can reach Guwahati, Assam by different modes of transport.
- Nearest metropolitan city. Kolkata
- Distance from Kolkata. 1032 km
- Nearest airport. Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport
- Nearest railway station. Kamakhya Junction Railway Station
By Air
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is the nearest airbase from the Kamakhya temple, which is located in Guwahati. Taxis are available from the airport to cover the remaining distance.
- Distance from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. 20 km
By Train
The nearest railhead from the Kamakhya Temple is the Kamakhya Junction Railway Station which is in Guwahati, Assam. The remaining distance can be covered with taxis available from the railway station.
- Distance from Kamakhya Junction Railway Station. 12 km
By Road
The city of Guwahati in Assam is well-connected through a network of roads and bus services. Regular state-run and private buses are easily available from other cities and towns in Assam and adjoining cities.
- Distance from Shillong. 104 km
Conclusion
Ambubachi Mela or Ambubachi Festival is more than just a festival; it's a joyous celebration of life, fertility, and devotion. Held in the historic Kamakhya Devi Temple of Guwahati, this event wonderfully encapsulates the essence of Assam's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. It's a time when devotees, sanyasis, and travellers come together to pay homage to the divine feminine power, making it a truly unique and enriching experience.
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FAQs Related to Ambubachi Mela 2025
Q1: When will Ambubachi Mela 2025 take place?
A1: Ambubachi Mela 2025 will be held from June 22 to June 26, 2025, at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam. The temple will remain closed from June 22 and reopen on June 26 after purification rituals.
Q2: What is the significance of Ambubachi Mela?
A2: The Ambubachi Mela marks the annual menstruation period of Goddess Kamakhya, symbolizing fertility and the divine feminine power. It is a unique celebration that respects and honors the natural biological cycle.
Q3: Can devotees enter the temple during the mela?
A3: No, devotees are not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum for three days (June 22–25) as the temple remains closed. Entry is permitted only after the Nivritti rituals on June 26.
Q4: What arrangements are made for pilgrims during Ambubachi Mela 2025?
A4: The government has arranged for sanitation, drinking water, medical camps, temporary shelters, and a 3.5 km carpeted walkway. Special trains, shuttle buses, and crowd control measures will also be in place.
Q5: Who attends the Ambubachi Mela?
A5: The mela attracts lakhs of devotees, including sadhus, Tantrics, Naga babas, Aghoris, and pilgrims from across India and abroad, all seeking spiritual blessings and to witness the unique rituals of Kamakhya Temple.
