Ambubachi Mela is one of India’s most unique and spiritually significant festivals, held annually at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam. It celebrates the menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya, symbolizing fertility, regeneration, and the divine feminine power.
History and Importance
The Kamakhya Temple is located on Nilachal Hill and is one of the 51 holy places (called Shakti Pithas) in Hindu stories. According to a legend, when Goddess Sati’s body was cut into pieces by Lord Vishnu, her private part (yoni) fell at this place. That’s why this spot is considered very holy.
Unlike most temples, there is no statue in the Kamakhya Temple. Instead, people worship a special rock shaped like a yoni, which stays naturally wet from a spring. This rock stands for the power of women to create life.
The Ambubachi Mela celebrates the time when Mother Earth is believed to go through her yearly menstrual cycle. It reminds people of the importance of fertility, creativity, and the sacred power of women.
Dates for Ambubachi Mela 2025
- Start: June 22, 2025
- End: June 26, 2025
The festival begins with the closing of the Kamakhya Temple doors as the goddess is believed to undergo her annual menstruation.
The temple remains closed for three days, reopening on the fourth day with grand rituals and celebrations.
Key Rituals & Schedule
| Date | Event |
| June 22, 2025 | Temple doors close (start of the goddess’s menstruation) |
| June 25, 2025 | Ritual period concludes; temple cleansed |
| June 26, 2025 | Temple reopens; devotees allowed darshan and offerings |
- Temple Closure: Symbolizes the goddess’s sacred seclusion. No worship or offerings are performed, and the sanctum is believed to be naturally moistened by a spring, representing the goddess’s menstrual flow.
- Pause in Daily Life: Local life slows down—activities like farming and trading pause as the community aligns spiritually with the goddess’s rest.
- Reopening & Darshan: On the fourth day, after ritual cleansing, the temple reopens. This is marked by fanfare, prayers, and the distribution of the blessed Ambubachi cloth (a red cloth believed to carry the goddess’s energy).
- Mass Pilgrimage: Millions of devotees, sadhus, tantriks, and spiritual seekers from across India and abroad gather for blessings and to witness the unique rituals.
Spiritual & Cultural Insights
- Celebration of the Feminine: The festival venerates the creative power of the feminine, challenging taboos around menstruation and highlighting its sacredness.
- No Idol Worship: The Kamakhya Temple’s sanctum houses a yoni-shaped rock (symbolizing the womb), not an idol, with a natural spring flowing over it, emphasizing the temple’s Tantric roots and reverence for generative power.
- Inclusivity: The mela is open to all—men, women, and people of all faiths, reflecting universal respect for the goddess.
- Cultural Festivities: The temple grounds and Guwahati city come alive with spiritual chanting, music, community feasts, and a vibrant mix of traditions, making it a melting pot of cultures and faiths.
Why Ambubachi Mela Is Unique?
- Known as the “Mahakumbh of the East,” the mela is not just a religious gathering but also a profound reflection on the cycles of nature, birth, and rebirth.
- The blessed Ambubachi cloth is highly sought after, believed to bring protection and prosperity to devotees.
In summary:
Ambubachi Mela 2025 (June 22–26) at Kamakhya Temple is a rare spiritual experience, blending powerful rituals, deep symbolism, and inclusive celebration of the divine feminine. It’s a unique opportunity to witness a centuries-old tradition that elevates natural biological functions to the realm of the sacred and communal.
The temple remains closed for three days as the goddess is believed to be in her menstrual period. No worship or offerings are performed during this time. On the fourth day, the temple is ritually cleansed and reopened with grand celebrations, prayers, and offerings. The reopening is a major event, drawing lakhs of devotees, sadhus, and spiritual seekers.
Both men and women, regardless of background or faith, are welcome to attend. The festival is a reminder of the universal nature of feminine power and spiritual awakening, and it attracts people from across India and abroad
Kamakhya Temple is about 20 km from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. The city is well-connected by train and road. From Guwahati, visitors can hire taxis or use public transport to reach the temple
There is no general entry fee for Kamakhya Temple. However, special entry or puja services are available for a fee, which can help devotees avoid long queues
The Mela draws over 12 lakh devotees. Strict crowd management is in place, with vehicle restrictions from the Kamakhya foothills to the temple from June 22 to June 25, except for authorized vehicles. The area under the Nilachal Flyover is a restricted parking zone.
