On June 26, the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam, reopened its doors to devotees after the conclusion of the four-day Ambubachi Mela. This annual event marks the ritualistic menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya, symbolizing the fertility of Mother Earth.

Held during the monsoon season, the temple doors are closed for four days, signifying the Goddess's period of rest. No worship or rituals are performed during this time. On the fifth day, the doors reopen amid massive pilgrim gatherings, celebrations, and spiritual fervor.

Known as the “Mahakumbh of the East,” the mela attracts lakhs of devotees, sadhus, and tantrics from across India and Nepal. Authorities deployed extra security and sanitation measures this year, with special trains and arrangements made for the influx of visitors.

Kamakhya, one of the Shakti Peethas, is a powerful symbol of feminine divinity and fertility, and the Ambubachi ritual is a rare cultural practice that acknowledges the sacredness of menstruation.