500 sadhus begin sacred march as Ambubachi nears

Guwahati, June 20: The spiritual countdown to the Ambubachi Mela has begun, with more than 500 sadhus undertaking a traditional padayatra to the revered Kamakhya Temple atop Nilachal Hills, signalling the arrival of one of the country’s most significant spiritual gatherings.

Clad in saffron robes and chanting hymns in praise of Maa Kamakhya, the saints and devotees made their way to the temple complex, adding a deeply spiritual atmosphere to Guwahati as preparations gather pace for the annual festival beginning on June 22.

Often described as the world’s largest congregation of tantric practitioners, the Ambubachi Mela marks the symbolic annual menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya and celebrates the divine feminine, fertility and the creative forces of nature. The festival draws ascetics, mystics, sadhus and pilgrims from across India and beyond, transforming Nilachal Hills into a vibrant centre of faith and spirituality.

As per tradition, the sanctum sanctorum of the temple will remain closed for three days from June 23 to June 25, a period during which devotees believe the goddess undergoes her yearly cycle. While the temple doors remain shut, spiritual discourses, rituals and religious gatherings continue around the shrine, attracting thousands of seekers.

Central Guwahati MLA Bijoy Kumar Gupta, who participated in the event, said the pilgrimage reflects the spiritual significance of Kamakhya and the enduring faith associated with the shrine.

“People from different parts of the country come here to seek the blessings of Maa Kamakhya. More than 500 saints and sages are participating in this pilgrimage. It is organised for peace, prosperity, development and preservation of the ashram. This spiritual journey brings together devotees from across India,” he said.

With lakhs of devotees expected over the coming days, authorities have intensified preparations across Guwahati and Nilachal Hills, including crowd management measures, sanitation facilities, security deployment and pilgrim assistance services.

For many, the sight of hundreds of sadhus walking together towards Kamakhya is more than a religious procession—it is the first visible sign that Ambubachi, Assam’s grandest spiritual spectacle, is about to begin.

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