Assam’s Kamakhya temple closed for annual rituals while the Ambubachi Mela stands cancelled due to Covid

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<strong>The famous Kamakhya temple in Assam will remain closed for four days. This is to enable the annual Ambubachi rituals to take place at the temple located in the Capital Guwahati.</strong></p>
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The rituals began on June 22, with the priests of the temple symbolically closing the doors of the shrine for four days.</p>
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The relevance of the closure of the temple doors for four days is that it marks the annual menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya.</p>
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The huge festivities that have been taking place for so many years have been cancelled for the second year in a row due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The devotees of the Goddess have been strictly forbidden to not assemble anywhere near the temple.</p>
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The Kamakhya temple is very significant in Hinduism as it is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas or Hindu holy sites for the followers of the Shakti cult.</p>
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Speaking to the media, the Head Priest (Bor Doloi) of the temple, Mohit Chandra Sarma, said all rituals and prayers would be conducted in accordance with the norms. As regards the reopening of the temple, he said the decision to do so was to be taken in consultation with the Kamrup Metropolitan district administration.</p>
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In the wake of the pandemic, the administration had earlier announced that the customary mela or fair held on the occasion has been called off. It was decided by the authorities that no devotee, pilgrim, seer or tourist will be allowed to enter or stay on the premises of the Shaktipeetha atop the Nilachal Hills here.</p>
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Though several seers from other States have arrived in Guwahati for the last few days, none were allowed to go up the hill.</p>
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Ambubachi Mela, also known as Ameti or the tantric fertility festival, is among the most important events on the State’s tourism calendar, with footfall of around 25 lakh recorded every year.</p>
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According to a report in sentinelassam.com the District Magistrate Kamrup Metropolitan District administration has urged the Commissioner of Police, Guwahati to not allow any devotee/pilgrim coming from other parts of the State, except the residents of the Nilachal hill, to travel uphill of the temple from June 22 to 30.</p>
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Besides, the Station Superintendent, Guwahati and Kamkhya Railway Station has also been directed to take necessary action and requested to make necessary arrangements so that pilgrims from other parts of the country do not visit the temple on the concerned occasion, due to the closure of the temple and cancellation of the fair.</p>