Ambubachi mela begins at Kamakhya temple

As per ritual, the main doors of the Kamakhya temple were closed on Tuesday evening as the Ambubachi Probriti began at 5.34 pm. With this all the religious activities have come to a standstill for three days inside the Kamkhya Temple. The temple remains closed for three days during the mela for it is believed that mother earth becomes unclean for three days like the traditional women's menstrual seclusion. During these three days some restrictions are observed by the devotees like not cooking, not performing puja or reading holy books etc. Besides, it is also believed that Mother Earth is also like a fertile woman, cultivable for crops and as such embodies the very essence of motherhood which manifests in the observance of Ambubachi indicating its importance in ancient agricultural concept. After three days Devi Kamakhya is bathed and other rituals are performed to ensure that the Devi retrieves her purity. Then the doors of the temple are reopened and prasad is distributed. On the fourth day the devotees are allowed to enter the temple and worship Devi Kamakhya The Ambubachi Mela is also an occasion for hundreds of sadhus coming from various corners of the country to exhibit their psychic powers. Mystics who gather at the temple claim they can perform wonders - make a childless couple conceive, find a distressed loner a spouse, or even cast an evil spell on others. While some of the Sadhus are seen performing a Yogic posture, many others are busy smoking Ganja on the temple premises. Till the doors of the temple are opened, lakhs of devotees gathering at the Kamakhya shrine are now busy chanting hymns, singing songs, dancing and various forms of reveling.