India is a country known for its array of festivals. Some are popular while others are not so. And some festivals have strange customs also. One such festival is the ‘Ambubachi Mela’ at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati.
During this ritual, the temple doors are shut for three days. This is done so many believe that Devi Kamakhya also known as Mother Shakti goes through her annual cycle of menstruation. So during this period devotees are not allowed to see her and offer prayers.
The doors of the temple are reopened on the fourth day after the idol of the goddess is bathed.
Kamakhya Temple is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Pithas and is situated on Nilachal Hill in the western part of Guwahati.
PNN/Agencies