GUWAHATI, June 22 � Around 25,000 pilgrims converged at the Kamakhya Temple here today for the Ambubachi Mela.
The Ambubachi Mela will begin on the intervening night of June 22-23 at 12.50 am, which is called Prabriti, and the time for opening of the temple (Nibriti time) is on June 26 at 1.15 pm.
Meanwhile, one person died at the Bhairabi Temple at the Nilachal Hill. Police said the person, who is in his 50s or 60s, is suspected to have died due to ailment. However, it is yet to be ascertained whether he was a pilgrim or a local.
Kamrup Metro Deputy Commissioner Dr M Angamuthu visited the Kamakhya Temple twice today to take stock of the arrangements for the Ambubachi Mela.
District administration sources said that around 8,000 pilgrims from outside the State have already registered themselves at the camp set up at the Kamakhya railway station. �The numbers are expected to jump manifold from later this evening and tomorrow morning,� said an official.
Around 10 lakh devotees are expected to arrive in the city for the Ambubachi Mela this year, up from eight lakh last year.
According to the Kamakhya Debuttar Board secretary Nabakanta Sarma, nearly three lakh devotees have already visited the temple premises since past five days. �Grand preparations have been done to conduct the festival smoothly. A new camp has been opened at Naharbari near Kamakhya Higher Secondary School to accommodate more devotees. This year, the district administration has extended commendable support for maintaining discipline, cleanliness and security in and around the temple,� he said.
Meanwhile, the district nodal officer Tobacco Control Cell Kamrup Metro, Samiran Barua today fined Tarun Maji of Bardhaman and Ajit Barman for violating Section IV of the COTPA. The duo was found smoking inside the temple campus. The pilgrims, specially the sadhus, have been asked not to smoke or use substances such as bhang in the temple campus.