The Assam government and the Kamakhya Temple administration have completed preparations for Ambubachi Mela 2026, one of the largest religious gatherings in eastern India. More than eight lakh devotees, sadhus, saints and tantric practitioners from across India and abroad are expected to participate in the annual festival at the revered Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati.
Held atop the historic Nilachal Hill, the Ambubachi Mela is associated with the annual menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya and is regarded as a powerful celebration of feminine energy and fertility. The four-day festival will commence with ‘Pravritti’ on June 22 and conclude with ‘Nivritti’ on June 26.
As part of the religious observance, the temple doors will remain closed for three days, during which no worship, rituals or religious ceremonies will be conducted. The shrine will reopen on the fourth day following traditional purification rituals, allowing devotees to offer prayers and seek blessings.
Assam Tourism Minister Ajanta Neog said extensive arrangements have been made to accommodate the massive influx of pilgrims expected during the festival. She stated that the government has ensured the availability of drinking water, food, medical facilities and other essential services for visitors.
Calling the event one of the country's largest religious congregations, Neog said temporary camps and community kitchens have been established at various locations to assist devotees. She also appealed to pilgrims to visit the temple between 5 am and 6 pm during the mela period to facilitate smoother crowd management.
To ensure the successful conduct of the festival, the Assam government has allocated ₹4.55 crore across 24 departments for managing crowd control, sanitation, healthcare, security, transportation and accommodation arrangements.
Authorities have also implemented changes to the darshan system. Temple officials have announced that all offline special darshan counters will remain closed during the mela. Devotees seeking special darshan will be required to obtain passes through the online booking system, while general darshan will continue to remain free of cost.
The Ambubachi Mela holds deep religious significance for devotees of the Shakti tradition. According to longstanding belief, Goddess Kamakhya undergoes her annual menstrual cycle during this period. As a mark of respect, the temple remains closed and the deity is considered to be in seclusion.
The reopening of the temple after three days is marked by special rituals and attracts thousands of devotees eager to receive blessings and sacred offerings associated with the occasion.
With lakhs of pilgrims expected to arrive in Guwahati over the coming days, authorities have intensified preparations to ensure safety, convenience and smooth movement of visitors during one of Assam’s most important spiritual and cultural events.
