Devotees queue up at the Kamakhya temple on the first day of the Ambubachi Mela on Monday. Picture by S.H. Patgiri

June 21: The sacred shrine of Kamakhya came alive with chants of religious hymns as the five-day-long Ambubachi Mela began this evening.

Braving inclement weather, thousands of devotees from all over the country trekked to the temple atop Nilachal hill to attend the annual fair, which will conclude on Friday morning.

The doors of the temple were closed late this evening and will be reopened at 7 am on Friday when around one lakh devotees will enter the sanctum sanctorum to offer their obeisance to Goddess Kamakhya.

“The closure of the temple doors has marked the beginning of the annual festival. The temple will remain closed for the next three days and the devotees, who have assembled at the temple complex, will celebrate this period as Ambubachi Mela,” Rajib Sarma of Ambubachi Mela Parichalana Committee said.

He said thousands of devotees from West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and other northeastern states have already arrived at the temple and many more are expected soon.

A festive atmosphere has gripped the temple precincts. Tantriks from places as distantas the caves of Himalayas perform amazing feats while offering puja at the seat of ancient Shakti cult during the mela. Kamakhya temple is the most famous seat of tantrism in the country.

The district administration with help from temple authorities has made elaborate arrangements for accommodation of visitors during the mela days.

Several temporary sheds have been constructed near the temple while arrangements have been made to provide drinking water and medical aid to the pilgrims.

Five booths have been set up by the administration to provide necessary information to the devotees.

The temple authorities said several government departments, including health and family welfare, public works, Assam State Electricity Board, State Fire Service Organisation and public health engineering, are providing assistance in conducting the festival smoothly.

Bharat Scouts and Guides, students’ organisations, voluntary organisations, homeguards and the NCC have been pressed into service by the committee to manage the surge of devotees.

To maintain hygiene on the temple premises, special cleanliness drives have been carried out. Devotees will not be allowed to carry cooked food on the temple campus.

Arrangements for special buses and taxis has also been made from Guwahati Railway Station and ASTC bus station at Paltan Bazar to the temple.

The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has constructed nearly 200 temporary toilets.

To maintain law and order during the mela, special police pickets will be posted atop the Nilachal hill and patrolling will be intensified in and around the temple.

Policemen in plainclothes will also be deployed during the festival.

“Keeping in mind that this sort of religious congregation has always been the target of fundamentalist elements, we have taken all precautionary measures to ensure a trouble-free fair,” a police official said.