One of India’s most unique and spiritually significant festivals, Ambubachi Mela, will be observed from June 22 to June 26, 2026, at the revered Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam. The annual event draws lakhs of devotees, saints, sadhus and Tantric practitioners from across the country and abroad.
Dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, a powerful symbol of Shakti and feminine energy, the temple follows a centuries-old tradition during Ambubachi. At the beginning of the festival, the temple doors are closed to devotees for three consecutive days. This period is believed to mark the annual menstrual cycle of the Goddess.
According to tradition, the temple remains completely shut during these three days to allow the Goddess to rest and rejuvenate. No worship or public darshan takes place inside the sanctum during this time.
While the temple doors remain closed, the surrounding Nilachal Hills become a hub of spiritual activity. Ambubachi Mela is widely regarded as one of the largest Tantric festivals in India, attracting thousands of ascetics, spiritual seekers and Tantric practitioners who gather to participate in rituals and religious observances.
After the three-day period concludes, the temple undergoes purification rituals and a ceremonial cleansing with holy water. The doors are then reopened, allowing devotees to enter the shrine and seek blessings from the Goddess.
Given the scale of the event, the Assam government has made extensive arrangements for pilgrims and visitors. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has invited devotees from around the world, stating that preparations have been made to accommodate nearly eight lakh visitors expected during the festival.
To ensure safety and smooth movement of crowds, authorities have restricted access to the main hill routes between 5:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Temporary shelter camps have also been established near Kamakhya Railway Station and along the Pandu riverfront to provide accommodation and basic facilities for pilgrims.
Ambubachi Mela is not only a major religious gathering but also a powerful celebration of womanhood, fertility and the divine feminine, making it one of the most distinctive spiritual festivals in India.