Ambubachi Mela: The festival celebrating menstrual hygiene in Assam

The Ambubachi Mela is held for four days every year in Assam when the Kamakhya temple doors are closed, coinciding with the ritualistic menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya.

The temple doors were closed from June 22 to June 25 and no VIP or VVIP movements were allowed during the time.

The doors of Kamakhya temple were opened to devotees on Thursday (June 26, 2025) at 6 am after the completion of Nivriti (closure period).

What is Ambubachi Mela?

The Ambubachi Mela is held in the Kamakhya temple premises during the period of June and is one of the major tourist events in Assam that attracts lakhs of visitors each year.

Temple priests said the ritualistic fair celebrating the goddess’ period is one of the reasons why the taboo associated with menstruation is less in Assam compared with other parts of India.

The attainment of womanhood of girls in Assam is celebrated with a ritual called ‘Tuloni Biya’, meaning small wedding. Officials said Ambubachi Mela is also an occasion to promote awareness on menstrual hygiene.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also remarked about the mela in a post on X: “As the doors of Maa Kamakhya open to devotees in Nibritti, which marks the completion of the 4-day #Ambubachi Mahayog, I pray to Maa Kamakhya for the welfare of Bharat.” “May Maa Kamakhya bless everyone with abundance and steer the civilization forward. Jai Maa Kamakhya,” he added.

History behind Kamakhya Temple

Kamakhya temple, atop Nilachal Hills in Guwahati, is one of 51 shaktipeeths or seat of Shakti followers, each representing a body part of the Sati, Lord Shiva’s companion. The temple’s sanctum sanctorum houses the yoni — female genital — symbolised by a rock.

Legends say the temple atop the Nilachal Hills, whose northern face slopes down to the Brahmaputra river, was built by demon king Narakasura. But records are available only from 1565, when Koch king Naranarayana had the temple rebuilt in 1565.

Descendants of the medieval Koch royalty avoid the temple as the goddess is believed to have cursed the royalty after the king and his brother Chilarai — one of Assam’s revered generals — had secretly watched her dance.

Researchers at the Guwahati-based Centre for Koch-Rajbongshi Studies and Development said there are legends about the goddess dancing when Kendukoli, a priest during Naranarayan’s reign, performed puja with his eyes shut.