Guwahati, June 12: Boosted by Rs 2.5 crore funds from the Assam government, the newly formed Kamakhya Devalaya, the managing committee of the Kamakhya temple, has promised pilgrims better facilities during the Ambubachi mela which begins from June 22.
The mela, one of the biggest annual congregations in eastern India to observe the annual menstrual cycle of goddess Kamakhya, attracts many researchers and tantrik worshippers from the UK, Canada, France, Nepal and Bangladesh, besides lakhs of pilgrims from India.
The Kamakhya managing committee, based on the planet alignments predicted in the Calcutta-based publisher P.M. Bagchi panjika, has set the dates of the mela from 7.26am on June 22 to 7am on June 26 during which the temple will be closed to visitors.
The BJP-led state government has released Rs 2.5 crore to the managing committee and also instructed the Kamrup district administration, health and other departments to provide assistance.
"We have got the full support of the government in monetary and other terms. We have also lined up our plans for the arrangements for the pilgrims. From our side, we have arranged food and lodging for 10,000 pilgrims in two camps at Naharbari and Bangshi Bagan. All facilities including food, drinking water and medical support will be provided to them," said Bhaskar Sarma, secretary of Ambubachi Parichalana Committee.
"We have also arranged for accommodation for the sadhus and tantriks who will pray inside the temple during the five days when the temple will be closed. We can accommodate around 2,000 people inside," Sarma said.
Besides, with the aid of the district administration, arrangements are being made for pilgrims to stay at Sonaram field and a few other places around the Nilachal hill atop which the Kamakhya temple is perched.
Kamrup (metro) deputy commissioner M. Angamuthu said necessary arrangements are being made for a smooth conduct of the mela.
"For security arrangements, the temple has around 140-150 CCTVs. The district administration has also promised to install a few more. City police will also deploy extra forces. Besides, we will have volunteers from the Northeast Frontier Railway and NCC scouts," Sarma said.
