Guwahati: Famous Ambubachi festival, an annual event held at the historic Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, has been cancelled for the second time in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic. The festival was to start on June 22.
The government has said that they have received a letter from the head priest of Maa Kamkahya Devalaya dated June 10, mentioning reservations about holding of the festival amid COVID 19 pandemic.
The government has directed no congregation and assimilation of sadhus and devotees will allowed in the vicinity of the temple.
The Ambubachi Mela is the biggest religious congregation in eastern India and sees over 25 lakh devotees from across the country.
Last year too, due to the pandemic, the festival was cancelled for the first time ever. Kamakhya Temple’s management committee had decided in May to keep the holy place shut till June 30.
Kamakhya is one of 51 Shaktipeeths or holy sites for the followers of the Shakti cult, each representing a body part of Sati, Lord Shiva’s companion.
During the festival, the temple is shut for four days as it is believed the Goddess, Devi Kamakhya, goes through her annual menstrual cycle during this time. However, all rituals of the festival will be performed by the temple committee inside the premises without any devotees.
