Kamakhya Temple:-

The Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati celebrates a unique annual event called the Ambubachi Mela, lasting for three days in the month of June. D

It is believed that the presiding Goddess, Devi Kamakhya, undergoes menstruation, and the temple remains closed. The term "Ambubachi" refers to the flow of water, symbolizing menstruation. The festival begins on the seventh day of the Ashara month, which usually falls around the 21st or 22nd of June in the Gregorian calendar.

The concept behind the Ambubachi Mela is that Devi Kamakhya rests and menstruates like an ordinary woman. This is reminiscent of the practice of menstrual seclusion followed in certain societies. During these three days, devotees refrain from cooking, engaging in agricultural activities, performing puja (ritual worship), and reading holy books. On the fourth day, after the menstruation period, the Goddess is bathed, and rituals are conducted to restore her purity. People also purify their homes by sprinkling sacred water over household items, utensils, and clothes.

The temple doors reopen on the fourth day, allowing devotees to offer prayers. Prasad (sacred offering) is distributed in the form of Angodhak, the fluid part of the Goddess's body (water from the spring), and Angabastra, a piece of red cloth used to cover the stone yoni (symbolic representation of the Goddess's reproductive organ) during menstruation.

The Kamakhya Temple differs from traditional temples as it does not house an idol representing the Goddess. Instead, the central object of worship is the yoni of Devi Kamakhya. 

This unique feature has a mythological origin linked to the story of Sati (or Parvati) and her father, Daksha. Sati chose Shiva as her life partner, but her father did not approve. During a ritual, Daksha humiliated Shiva, leading Sati to immolate herself in the sacred fire. In grief, Shiva carried her body, and her body parts fell in different locations, which are now revered as Shakti Peeths.

Kamakhya Temple is said to be the place where Sati's yoni descended, hence its significance in worship. The temple represents the divine feminine principle, emphasizing the existence of a feminine counterpart to the predominant masculine focus in organized religions. Shaktism, the worship of Devi as the supreme divinity, considers all other forms of divinity as diverse manifestations of the Goddess.

The Ambubachi Mela attracts numerous pilgrims each year, including sadhus, sanyasis, aghori babas, and common devotees. This year, the mela is scheduled to commence on June 22nd. According to the Chief priest, the main door of the temple will remain closed from June 23rd to 25th, and it will reopen on June 26th.

For more updates keep visiting our website www.topstoriesworld.com   where we provide unbiased, true and top stories of the world