The annual Ambubachi Mela at the Kamakhya temple atop Nilachal Hill in Guwahati concluded on Friday as the shrine reopened for devotees after remaining closed for four days in observance of the Goddess's annual menstrual cycle.
Thousands of devotees queued from the early hours to offer prayers after the temple doors were opened following the customary ritual bath and worship of the Goddess.
A temple official said the shrine would remain open until sunset on Friday and expressed hope that devotees would have a peaceful darshan.
The temple had been closed since Monday evening, marking the beginning of the Ambubachi Mela, one of the country's most significant religious gatherings. The annual festival draws pilgrims, ascetics, tourists and visitors from across India and abroad to the revered Shakti Peetha.
Also read: 'Mahakumbh of Northeast', Ambubachi Mela begins today at Kamakhya
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said more than eight lakh devotees attended this year's fair, highlighting its unique cultural and spiritual 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," Sarma said in a post on X.
"Over the last few days, more than 8 lakhs devotees joined this unique celebration," he added.
The Ambubachi Mela is observed during the period when the Goddess is believed to undergo her annual menstrual cycle, symbolising fertility and the creative power of nature. During this time, the temple remains closed before reopening with elaborate rituals.
The event is also among Assam's biggest tourism attractions. According to official figures, 7,72,019 people, including 42 foreign nationals, visited the fair last year. In 2024, the festival drew 7,46,066 devotees, including 20 visitors from overseas.
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