Ambubachi Mela is a four-day festival to mark the annual menstruation of the goddess at Kamakhya temple in Guwahati. Ambubachi Mela is one of the biggest congregations of eastern India. It is the most important festival of the Kamakhya temple and is celebrated in the month of June every year.

Why is it in the news?

The Ambubachi Mela is celebrated between June 21 and June 25, every year. But this year, amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this yearly fair has been cancelled. 

In this article, we shall discuss at length the significance of the Ambubachi Mela and the aspects of the Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati. IAS Exam aspirants must refer to the information below as it makes one of the important topics of Art and Culture syllabus of UPSC. 

Ambubachi Mela [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

About Ambubachi Mela 

• It is a four-day fair to mark the annual menstruation of the goddess at Kamakhya temple, Assam
• There is no idol in the temple, the goddess is worshipped in the form of a yoni-like stone over which a natural spring flows
• “Ambubachi” means spoken with water and it also implies that the rains expected during this month make the earth fertile and ready for procreation
• The belief is that Kamakhya embodies the mother cult, the Shakti. During the period of Ambubachi from the seventh to the tenth day of the Hindu month of “Asadha”, the doors of the shrine are closed. On the twelfth day, the doors are opened ceremonially and a big fair held at the temple premises on that day

UPSC aspirants can also get notes for GS I paper about Menstruation – A Taboo in India, at a linked article. 

Significance of Ambubachi Mela

The concept of Ambubachi has in its origin, formative influences and elements of agricultural, social and religious ideas that have contributed to the emergence of the phenomenon.

Discussed below are the significant features of the Ambubachi Mela:

• Since the temple celebrates the menstrual period of the goddess, it culturally rejects the various taboo related to menstruation, which makes it culturally rich.
• Apparently, the taboo associated with menstruation is less in Assam compared with other parts of India. 
• The attainment of the womanhood of girls in Assam is celebrated with a ritual called Tuloni Biya, meaning a small wedding. (*Aspirants should note that there are other states in India that too celebrate the first period – ‘Manjal Neerattu Vizha’ tradition of Tamil Nadu, ‘Peddamanishi Pandaga’ tradition of Andhra Pradesh/Telangana; etc.)
• It is also known as the “Mahakumbh of the East” and experiences heavy footfall from people across the country. Thus, making it a big boost for tourism of the state.

Also, visit the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages in India page. 

Ambubachi Mela [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

Get updated with the latest UPSC Syllabus for the upcoming Civil Services Exam at the linked article and accordingly start your preparation. 

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