The Ambubachi Mela is one of the most unique and spiritual festivals celebrated in India. It is held every year at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam. This festival is very special because it celebrates a natural process—the menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya. In 2025, the Ambubachi Mela will be observed from June 22 to June 26, attracting thousands of devotees, sadhus, and tourists from all over the world.
What is Ambubachi Mela?
Ambubachi Mela is a spiritual event that honours the power of creation and fertility. While in many parts of India, menstruation is treated as a taboo or shameful topic, Assam celebrates it with devotion and respect. At Kamakhya Temple, people believe that Goddess Kamakhya herself undergoes her yearly menstruation during this time. The temple is considered one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and is believed to be the place where the womb (yoni) of Goddess Sati fell.
Ambubachi Mela 2025 Dates and Timings
In 2025, the Ambubachi Mela will be held from June 22 to June 26. The festival begins at 8:43 AM on June 22, which marks the start of sacred rituals like Snan (holy bath) and Nitya Puja (daily worship). During this period, the doors of the temple are closed because it is believed that the goddess is resting during her menstruation.
On June 25 around 6 AM, the menstruation period ends, and the temple is reopened. This reopening is a big event and is celebrated with prayers, offerings, and joy. The final day, June 26, sees large gatherings of devotees eager to have darshan and receive blessings.
Also Read: Ambubachi Mela 2025 begins; Kamakhya Temple closed for devotees, to re-open on June 26
Spiritual and Cultural Significance
The word “Ambubachi” means “spoken with water” and is linked to both monsoon rains and the menstruation of the goddess. It is deeply rooted in Tantric traditions and celebrates the creative power of nature and the feminine divine. This time is also a reminder of the cycle of life, birth, and rebirth.
During the three days when the temple is closed, people avoid farming, cooking, and certain daily activities to show respect. It is seen as a period of rest, both for the goddess and for nature. In ancient times, farmers would also stop agricultural work during this period, believing that the Earth too was resting.
Celebrations and Experience at the Festival
The entire Kamakhya Temple area becomes vibrant during Ambubachi. Devotees, sadhus, tantriks, spiritual seekers, and common people gather in large numbers. The air is filled with mantras, incense, drum beats, and the smell of flowers. Spiritual discourses, bhajans, and traditional performances are also held.
Many people sleep in tents or open grounds around the temple. Food stalls, spiritual products, and local crafts add to the festive atmosphere. It is a time when faith, devotion, and cultural beauty blend together.
Breaking Taboos and Celebrating Womanhood
The Ambubachi Mela is more than just a religious festival. It is a bold statement against period stigma. While menstruation is often seen as unclean in many places, Assam honours it as sacred and powerful. The worship of the goddess during her menstrual cycle teaches respect for women’s bodies and natural biological functions.
A ritual known as “Rakta Bastra” (the red cloth) is part of the festival. It is believed that the cloth becomes sacred during this time and is kept by devotees as a blessing. The festival is open to both men and women, showing that respect for the divine feminine is universal.
Why You Should Visit Ambubachi Mela 2025
Ambubachi Mela is often called the “Mahakumbh of the East”. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness how a biological process is celebrated as divine. The festival helps people connect with nature, spirituality, and cultural roots. If you want to see a different and deeper side of Indian culture, mark your calendar for June 22–26, 2025.
Ambubachi Mela 2025 is not just a religious event but a powerful reminder of creation, nature, and respect for womanhood. As the Kamakhya Temple closes and reopens during the goddess’s sacred time, the world witnesses a celebration of life’s true origins. Visit Assam this June and be part of this unique festival that respects the divine cycle of nature and brings together faith, culture, and equality.
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