Menstruation continues to be shrouded in stigma and restrictive behaviour in many parts of India, but there is one region that bucks the trend in the strongest possible way with worship. In Assam, menstruation is not avoided, but celebrated and honoured. This distinctive view comes alive during the Ambubachi Mela, a holy festival observed each year at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. Here, the natural process of the woman's body is revered as sacred, a sharp contrast to the hush and taboo that usually greets it elsewhere.
About sacred melaSituated on the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam, the Kamakhya Temple is a grand representation of divine feminine and spiritual power. One of the 51 Shakti Peethas, this holy place attracts millions of devotees from all over the globe. Its most important festival is the Ambubachi Mela, an ancient and distinctive festival that celebrates the menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya. The 2025 festival will be a grand celebration of devotion, tradition, and cultural liveliness from June 22 to June 26.
The Spiritual Significance
"Ambubachi" roughly translates to "spoken with water," referring to both the monsoon and the menstruation of the goddess. The festival celebrates the yearly menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya. It has its origins in Tantric mythology and tradition, representing Earth's fertility and creative potency. Legend has it that the yoni (womb) of Goddess Sati fell here during Shiva's Tandava dance. The festival gives respect for fertility, rebirth, and the protective forces of nature. Historically, it was also a period when agricultural activities came to a standstill.
Ambubachi is not just a festival; it is a recognition of a natural biological phenomenon. The goddess's menstruation has been considered as a sign of creation, care, and change. The divine power is considered to be focused inside the temple during this time.
The 2025 Schedule: Dates and RitualsThe Ambubachi Mela 2025 will be held between June 22 and June 26. It starts at 8:43 AM on June 22 with the start of Snan (sacred bathing) and Nitya Puja (daily worship). The temple is closed to all people during these days since the goddess marks her menstruation period. The closing represents a time of rest, cleansing, and respect for the divine cycle.
The doors of the temple are closed around 6 AM on June 25, when the menstruation of the goddess is over and the ritual period concludes. On that day, the temple is cleansed, and the devotees are allowed to enter again. The re-entry is celebrated with fanfare, offerings, and prayers.
What to expect during Ambubachi 2025Attendees can anticipate a vibrant mix of spirituality, cultural festivities, and community gatherings. The atmosphere around Kamakhya Temple during the festival is charged with devotion, chanting, incense, and traditional music. Devotees, sadhus, tantriks, and curious visitors from across India and beyond converge here, creating a melting pot of cultures and faiths.
In Assam, the mindset regarding menstruation is more liberal than in much of India, where taboos result in prohibition and shaming. The festival's commemoration of "Rakta Bastar" (the goddess's blood) speaks to the festival's theme of respect for feminine power.
Both women and men are allowed to come and participate in the celebration, which is a reminder of the universal nature of feminine power and spiritual awakening.
This centuries-old custom, now also known as the "Mahakumbh of the East," beckons all to ponder the cycle of birth, rebirth, and holiness of natural existence. As the countdown begins, set your calendars for June 22-26, 2025, and soak in the spiritual magnificence and cultural diversity of Ambubachi. It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a deep celebration bring forth natural biological functions to a higher plane.
About sacred melaSituated on the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam, the Kamakhya Temple is a grand representation of divine feminine and spiritual power. One of the 51 Shakti Peethas, this holy place attracts millions of devotees from all over the globe. Its most important festival is the Ambubachi Mela, an ancient and distinctive festival that celebrates the menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya. The 2025 festival will be a grand celebration of devotion, tradition, and cultural liveliness from June 22 to June 26.
The Spiritual Significance
"Ambubachi" roughly translates to "spoken with water," referring to both the monsoon and the menstruation of the goddess. The festival celebrates the yearly menstruation cycle of Goddess Kamakhya. It has its origins in Tantric mythology and tradition, representing Earth's fertility and creative potency. Legend has it that the yoni (womb) of Goddess Sati fell here during Shiva's Tandava dance. The festival gives respect for fertility, rebirth, and the protective forces of nature. Historically, it was also a period when agricultural activities came to a standstill.
Ambubachi is not just a festival; it is a recognition of a natural biological phenomenon. The goddess's menstruation has been considered as a sign of creation, care, and change. The divine power is considered to be focused inside the temple during this time.
The 2025 Schedule: Dates and RitualsThe Ambubachi Mela 2025 will be held between June 22 and June 26. It starts at 8:43 AM on June 22 with the start of Snan (sacred bathing) and Nitya Puja (daily worship). The temple is closed to all people during these days since the goddess marks her menstruation period. The closing represents a time of rest, cleansing, and respect for the divine cycle.
The doors of the temple are closed around 6 AM on June 25, when the menstruation of the goddess is over and the ritual period concludes. On that day, the temple is cleansed, and the devotees are allowed to enter again. The re-entry is celebrated with fanfare, offerings, and prayers.
What to expect during Ambubachi 2025Attendees can anticipate a vibrant mix of spirituality, cultural festivities, and community gatherings. The atmosphere around Kamakhya Temple during the festival is charged with devotion, chanting, incense, and traditional music. Devotees, sadhus, tantriks, and curious visitors from across India and beyond converge here, creating a melting pot of cultures and faiths.
In Assam, the mindset regarding menstruation is more liberal than in much of India, where taboos result in prohibition and shaming. The festival's commemoration of "Rakta Bastar" (the goddess's blood) speaks to the festival's theme of respect for feminine power.
Both women and men are allowed to come and participate in the celebration, which is a reminder of the universal nature of feminine power and spiritual awakening.
This centuries-old custom, now also known as the "Mahakumbh of the East," beckons all to ponder the cycle of birth, rebirth, and holiness of natural existence. As the countdown begins, set your calendars for June 22-26, 2025, and soak in the spiritual magnificence and cultural diversity of Ambubachi. It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a deep celebration bring forth natural biological functions to a higher plane.
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