Ambubachi Mela: A celebration of womanhood
India is rich in cultural diversity. Every corner of the country has a story to tell, wrapped in customs, rituals, fairs, and festivals. The Ambubachi Mela is one such fair, celebrated at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam, from June 22 to 26 every year. It commemorates Goddess Kamakhya's annual menstruation cycle. The word Ambubachi, means ‘to speak with water’, and the fair is held during the monsoon season, which falls in the Assamese month of Ahaar. During this time, the sun enters the zodiac of Mithuna (Gemini) and the Brahmaputra River is at its highest. But do you know why it is celebrated? Let’s find out.
The tale of Shiva and Shakti
According to a Hindu legend, Goddess Shakti killed herself because her father humiliated her husband, Lord Shiva, in front of a large crowd. Shiva was enraged when he learned of her death and performed the Tandava, or the dance od destruction with her body on his shoulder. Lord Vishnu (one of the main deities in Hinduism) tore Goddess Shakti's body into 51 parts with his Sudharshan Chakra (a rotating discus weapon with 108 serrated edges). to protect the universe from the destruction that might occur from the dance of the enraged Shiva. Each of the 51 pieces landed in a different region and is today one of India's Shakti Peeths (Seat of Goddess Shakti). Since Shakti's womb and genitals are said to have fallen at the location of Kamakhya Temple, the Ambubachi Mela is held to honour them. Intriguing, isn’t it?
Traditions and rituals associated with the mela
There are many customs and rituals associated with the fair. Here are a few popular ones for you.
Worshipping Goddess Shakti: As already mentioned, Devi Kamakhya (Mother Shakti), the temple's deity, goes through her annual menstruation cycle during this period. Hence, the temple's doors are shut for three days in honour of Goddess Kamakhya. Devotees maintain several restrictions over these four days. Activities such as cooking, farming, performing puja, reading sacred books are all stopped temporarily. In addition, the goddess Kamakhya is bathed and rituals are performed after four days. This ensures that the goddess regains her purity.
Honouring the yoni: Interestingly, the temple has no idol of the presiding deity. However, she is worshipped in the shape of a yoni-like stone over which a natural water stream flows. It is believed that during the mela, the creative and nurturing power of Mother Earth's 'menses' becomes accessible to worshippers at the temple.
The Prasadam: Devotees are allowed to visit the temple on the fourth day. The temple's doors are reopened after the mela, and prasadam is distributed. The prasadam is distributed in two ways: Angodak and Angobastra. Angodak refers to the fluid part of the body, which is the holy water of the spring. Angobastra means the cloth covering the body. Actually, Angobastra is a piece of red cloth used to cover the yoni-shaped stone during the Goddess’ menstrual cycle. A yoni is a stylised representation of the female genitalia, a sign of generative power in Hinduism. It also symbolizes the Goddess Shakti.