Kamakhya Devi Temple Archives - Lokmarg

Ambubachi Mela, Guwahati: Devotees Offer Prayers To Goddess Kamakhya

By LokMarg 26th June 2023

A large number of devotees on Monday offered prayers to Goddess Kamakhya after the main door of the temple reopened after Nivritti ceremonies at the Ambubachi Mela.

The annual four-day-long Ambubachi Mela commenced on June 22, and after the Pravritti ceremonies, the temple’s main door was closed for three days and three nights, scheduled to reopen on June 26.
As per the visuals, the devotees could be seen waiting in a long queue on the temple premises.

After performing Nivritti, the main door of the historic temple was reopened on Monday morning.

The Ambubachi Mela is an annual Hindu fair held at the historic Kamakhya Temple, and it is the celebration of the yearly menstruation course of goddess Maa Kamakhya. Kamakhya Temple is located atop the Nilachal Hills in Assam and is one of 51 Shaktipeeths in the country. Devotees believe that Mother Earth becomes unclean for three days during the Goddess’ menstrual cycle and during this time any farming work is not taken on.

The Assam government and Kamakhya Temple management committee had made all arrangements for this year’s Ambubachi Mela. The state government had arranged food, drinking water, and toilet facilities and set up several tent houses for the devotees. The devotees came from all over the country and even outside it.

Himadri Sarma, a priest at the Kamakhya temple said that the VIP system for Darshan would be stopped this year after the reopening of the gates, and the general devotee line would be the only way to visit the Goddess Kamakhya.

“The Pravritti will be performed and for three days and three nights from June 22 to June 25, the Nivritti will be performed. On June 26 morning, after sunrise, Nivritti will conclude. After the Pravritti, the temple’s main door will be closed and reopened after the performance of Nivritti. The special VIP Darshan will be stopped on June 26 and 27, and the general devotees will be given preference. People can perform puja, and visit the Goddess Kamakhya in the general line,” he had said.

He further added that the security deployment was increased during this year’s Mela. (ANI)

Murmu Undergoes Successful Cataract Surgery

By LokMarg 16th October 2022

President Droupadi Murmu underwent cataract surgery on Sunday at the Army Hospital (Referral and Research), New Delhi.

According to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the surgery was successful and she has been discharged from the Hospital.
President Murmu was on a two-day visit to Assam that concluded on Friday. During this, Murmu paid a visit to the shaktipeeth Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. (ANI)

Navaratri Celebrations In Full Swing At Kamakhya Devi Temple

By LokMarg 26th September 2022

Hundreds of devotees thronged Kamakhya Devi Temple here as the nine-day-long Navratri celebrations began on Monday.

As the entire country gets filled with immense fervour, devotees are rushing to visit various temples dedicated to Goddess Durga. One such temple of great importance is the ‘Kamakhya Devi Temple’ which is the centre for numerous devotees from various parts of the country.
Speaking to ANI, the head priest Kabindra Prasad Sarma said, “The Navratri has begun at Kamakhya temple from today. Kumari Puja has also been performed during Navratri. Today is Pratipada and one Kumari will be worshipped.”

He added, “Tomorrow is Dwitiya tithi and two Kumaris will be worshipped. In this way, 45 Kumaris will be worshipped till Navami. This tradition has been going on for many years. Durga Puja is celebrated for 15 days at Kamakhya temple – from Krishna Navami to Shukla Navami.”

One of the devotees, Santosh Saxena said, “We are here since 4 am in the morning. Today is the first day and it is considered auspicious. It’s believed that all wishes get fulfilled with the blessings of the goddesses.”

The Shardiya Navratri festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine avatars and today mark the first day of the festivity (Kalash or Ghatsthapna). The festival is celebrated with much fervour all across the country by Hindus.

During the nine-day Navratri festival, devotees worship Durga’s nine incarnations in order to obtain her blessings. There is a goddess manifestation linked with each day of Navratri. During these nine days, people maintain ritualistic fasts, recite shlokas dedicated to each goddess, wear new clothing, offer bhog, and clean their homes. In their prayers, they ask the goddess for her favour in order to have prosperous, joyous, and fulfilled lives.

Ramlila is organised extensively during Navratri in North India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. During the Ramlila, the tale of Lord Ram’s triumph over Ravana is acted out. The effigies of Ravana are burned on Dussehra to commemorate the triumph of good over evil.

In fact, on the tenth day of Navratri, also known as Vijayadashami, a large procession is organised during which clay figurines of Maa Durga are ceremoniously submerged in a river, sea, or ocean. Popular places to do this practice include West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and Bihar. The most significant day for Maa Durga’s worship is thought to be the day of Durga Visarjan.

In India, Navratri is celebrated in a wide range of ways. Ramlila, a celebration in which scenes from the Ramayana are performed, is organized in North India, mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. The burning of Ravana’s effigies marks the conclusion of the story on Vijayadashami. (ANI)