Meanwhile, at least 800 CCTV cameras have been set for surveillance at Ambubachi Mela 2022, 300 by Kamakhya Temple Authorities and 500 by local police.
The biggest congregation of devotees in Northeast, Ambubachi Mela (2022) is all set to kick start from tomorrow after a gap of two years because of Covid19 pandemic. The Kamrup (Metro) District Administration is expecting around 10 lakh devotees during the mela at the Kamakhya temple.
Moreover, the Kamrup (Metro) deputy commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha said that the district administration has set up at least three camps at Kamakhya station old jail campus at Fancy Bazar and near Pandu port for the devotees.
Around 5,000 devotees had already gathered at the Kamakhya railway station and the former jail complex, he said.
During the Ambubachi Mela, vehicular movement from the Kamakhya gate to the temple is prohibited. Even VIPs and VVIPs, according to the deputy commissioner, will not be allowed to drive. At least 25 vehicles would be provided by the district government to transport officials, VIPs, and VVIPS from the foothills to the temple.
Meanwhile, at least 800 CCTV cameras have been set for surveillance, 300 by temple authorities and 500 by local police. To ensure safety and security, the DC stated that an adequate number of police officers will be positioned in the temple and on the road leading from the foothills to the temple.
In terms of health, a total of nine medical camps, one of which will be a five-bed facility, will be set up at various spots around the hills for the devotees. Aside from fire and rescue vehicles, the state disaster management organisation will have three ambulances on standby to cope with any emergency.
The district administration, on the other hand, has made no arrangements for Covid - 19 screening of worshippers at the temple's entrance, the Guwahati train station, or the interstate bus terminal, where a huge number of devotees from outside the state will arrive.
"We expect considerable traffic congestion due to the ongoing construction of the flyover from Maligaon to Kamakhya gate," the DC added. As a result, during the mela, the district government has barred inter-district passenger buses and any cargo trucks from using DG Road, MG Road, and TR Phukan Road.
Do You Know What Ambubachi Festival Is?
The Ambubachi Festival is held during the monsoon season in honour of Goddess Kamakhya, who is said to be going through her monthly menstrual cycle at this time. The Goddess is said to provide fertility to the devotees, which is thought to bless and nurture them. As part of traditional seclusion during menstruation, the temple is closed for three days, commencing on the seventh day of the Hindu calendar's "Ashadh" month and ending on the tenth day. The temple's doors are ritually opened on the twelfth day, and a large fair is held at the temple.
Importance of Ambubachi Festival:
The word "ambubachi" means "spoken with water," implying that the rains expected this month would render the ground fertile and ready for reproduction. During this time, daily worship is not permitted. All agricultural activities are prohibited, including excavating, ploughing, sowing, and transplanting crops. During these days, devotees avoid eating cooked foods. Used utensils, clothes, and other belongings are washed and symbolically purified by sprinkling water on the fourth day.
After cleaning and other procedures, Goddess Kamakhya is worshipped. Following these rituals, it is believed auspicious to enter the temple. The prasad is distributed to the devotees as well. The prasad comes in two varieties: Angodak and Angabastra. Angodak means 'water from the spring,' and Angabastra means 'cloth covering the body,' referring to a piece of red cloth used to cover the stone yoni throughout the days of menstruation.
Ambubachi Mela 2022:
During the last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the shrine was locked and devotees were not allowed inside. As all limitations have been lifted in the state, the festival will be held from June 22 to June 26 this year. However, because many devotees are expected to attend the celebration, priests are concerned that it could lead to a rapid spread of Covid-19 and that necessary safeguards may not be taken. They are worried that Ambubachi may become a hotspot for Covid-19.
Instead of making arrangements for mega-accommodation camps, the priests suggested to the authorities that devotees pray from their houses and prasad be delivered to their homes via courier services. Despite Covid-19, sadhus flock to the shrine in large numbers on certain occasions. The festival, which was the largest in history, drew 25 lakhs worshipers in 2019.
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