Guwahati, June 24: As lakhs of devotees make their way to the revered Kamakhya Temple for the annual Ambubachi Mela, another tradition is quietly unfolding beyond the chants, rituals and long queues — the tradition of selfless service.
Across Guwahati, voluntary organisations, local groups and community volunteers have set up relief camps to provide free food, drinking water and basic assistance to pilgrims arriving from different parts of India and abroad for one of the country’s largest spiritual gatherings.
Among them is the Guwahati-based Sahani Kawaria group, which has been running a free community kitchen near Bhutnath for nearly two decades. What began as a small act of devotion by a handful of volunteers has today grown into a large-scale humanitarian effort feeding thousands of pilgrims during the mela.
From early morning tea and biscuits to hot meals served throughout the day, volunteers work round the clock to ensure that no devotee goes hungry. Preparations for the initiative begin weeks in advance, with volunteers coordinating logistics, food supplies and manpower long before the festival begins.
Despite rain and challenging weather conditions, the service continues uninterrupted, reflecting the spirit of seva that has long been associated with the Ambubachi Mela.
“We consider this an opportunity to serve Maa Kamakhya through serving her devotees,” said a volunteer involved in the effort.
Pilgrims have welcomed the arrangements, saying the availability of free meals, drinking water and support services has made the physically demanding pilgrimage significantly more comfortable.
The food camps have become a familiar and reassuring sight for many visitors, especially those travelling long distances with limited resources.
As the temple prepares to reopen following the culmination of the Ambubachi rituals, volunteers say they will continue their efforts until the final day of the mela, when special prayers, community rituals and a large havan are scheduled to take place.
While the Ambubachi Mela is often celebrated for its spiritual significance, it is also a reminder of the power of community service — where faith is expressed not only through prayer, but through a simple meal shared with a stranger.
