GUWAHATI: For the second time in a row, the Ambubachi mela in Kamakhya temple in Guwahati was cancelled because of this Covid-19 pandemic.
The festival was supposed to begin on June 22.
Ambubachi is celebrated to mark the yearly menstruation of their presiding Goddess in Kamakhya, when over 25 lakh devotees from throughout the country go to the temple.
Kamakhya is among 51 Shakti Peethas or sacred sites for the followers of the Shakti cult, each symbolizing a body component of this Sati, Lord Shiva’s consort.
The temple’s sanctum sanctorum homes the yoni — feminine — symbolised by means of a stone.
Chief priest (Bor-Doloi) of this temple, Mohit Chandra Sarma, told TOI,”Difficult times call for tough choices.
We’ve determined not to populate the yearly mela in light of the chance of further spread of this virus.
Even if the government issues an SOP for coordinating the mela, we’ll adhere to our choice.
Although the situation is improving, we don’t need to take any threat.” Saying that just rituals could be done in the temple, he also stated,”We have opted to maintain the temple shut until June 30.
It wouldn’t be possible for all of us to limit or restrain devotees should they collect in the premises following any new SOP is issued by coordinating the mela,” he further added.
The priest further explained,”The folks of Nilachal hills are all determined by the devotees to their own livelihood.
Their earnings will occur if the festival isn’t held for 2 back for years.
However, the decision was chosen for the larger interest of the population.”