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CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
The Ambubachi Mahayog is a renowned annual spiritual event observed at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam, during the Hindu month of Ahaar (usually in June or July). The 2025 edition witnessed an estimated 1.5 million devotees, reflecting the growing reverence for this unique festival, which is deeply rooted in Shakta and Tantric traditions.
Kamakhya Temple: A Sacred Shakti Peetha
Regarded as one of the most important Shakti Peethas in the country, Kamakhya Temple holds a distinctive place in Hindu spirituality. It is believed to mark the site where the yoni (womb) of Goddess Sati fell, making it a symbol of divine feminine energy. Unlike many cultural norms that associate menstruation with taboo, this temple celebrates the menstrual cycle of the goddess as an embodiment of creation, fertility, and regeneration.
Rituals And Observances During Ambubachi
The temple remains closed for three days to signify the goddess's menstrual seclusion. A white cloth is used to cover the yoni stone in the sanctum, symbolising purity and pause. During this time, regular pujas are suspended, and even farming activities come to a halt in the region, respecting nature’s rhythm. On the fourth day, the sanctum is reopened with elaborate ceremonies and public celebrations, marking the goddess’s return to her devotees.
Rakta Bastra: The Holy Red Cloth
A significant element of the festival is the Rakta Bastra, meaning “red cloth,” which symbolizes the goddess’s divine menstruation. After the period of seclusion, this red cloth is distributed among devotees as a sacred offering believed to bring fertility, protection, and prosperity. It is revered much like a spiritual talisman. However, the temple administration has cautioned pilgrims about the growing commercial exploitation and the sale of inauthentic cloth pieces falsely claimed to be Rakta Bastra.
Celebrating Menstruation As Sacred
The Ambubachi Mahayog reclaims and elevates the concept of menstruation, traditionally shrouded in stigma. It offers a spiritual reinterpretation, honouring the biological and metaphysical power of womanhood. The ritual acts as a cultural corrective by acknowledging menstruation not as impure but as a divine process essential to life itself.
Tantric Traditions And International Participation
Beyond local rituals, the festival also serves as a focal point for Tantric practitioners, who gather for esoteric rites and meditative practices aimed at spiritual transformation. Its rich mysticism and powerful symbolism attract global interest, with spiritual seekers and researchers from around the world attending the event to explore the depths of goddess worship and Tantric philosophy.
Scientific Clarifications And Misconceptions
Although legends suggest that the Brahmaputra River turns red during Ambubachi, scientists attribute this phenomenon to natural causes such as algal blooms or sediment movement, rather than supernatural events. The Rakta Bastra, too, is symbolic rather than literal. These interpretations highlight the need to balance devotion with awareness, respecting tradition while promoting factual understanding.
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