Guwahati, June 22: The Ambubachi Mela 2024 at Kamakhya temple atop Nilachal hills in Guwahati commenced on Saturday with the Temple doors closed for devotees at 8.30 am, coinciding with “prabritti”, the ritualistic annual menstrual cycle of the goddess Maa Kamakhya.

Temple authorities informed that temple doors will open at 9.07 pm on June 25 after ‘nribritti’ and the temple will open for “darshan” on June 26 morning after a ritualistic bath and daily puja.

The Ambubachi or Amoti festival is one of its kind in the world. It honours fertility, and the temple remains closed for three days to honor what is believed to be Goddess Kamakhya’s yearly menstruation cycle.

Temple authorities anticipate a footfall of about 30 lakh this year, up from 25 lakh last year.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a post on X, welcomed the devotees to the mela, saying, “On the occasion of Ambubachi Mela, I welcome the sadhus and devotees.”

Talking to media persons, state tourism minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said, “We are fully prepared for the grand annual festival. For the smooth movement of lakhs of pilgrims, authorities have closed the main road to the temple for vehicles and arranged for ferry cars. People will have to reach the temple on foot from the foothills.”

“We expect around 25 Lakh devotees will arrive at Kamakhya temple this year”, he added.

He also informed that two camps are being established for devotees: one at Kamakhya railway station with camping facilities for 5,000 people and another for the main holding area in Pandu port with 12,000-15,000 capacity.

The Kamrup (Metro) district administration and the temple authorities have ensured all the safety and security aspects during the mela.

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