GUWAHATI, June 26 � The annual Ambubachi Mela came to an end today with the opening of the gate of the Kamakhya Temple in the morning for the devotees.
Over ten lakh devotees, including from other states and abroad, had flocked to the Nilachal Hill over the past few days for the Ambubachi Mela.
As soon as the temple was opened this morning, thousands of devotees went inside the premises to seek the blessing of Goddess Kamakhya.
�To accommodate the maximum number of devotees who were queuing up for several hours, the gates were opened at 6.15 am, a little ahead of the expected time. More than 40,000 devotees were able to do the darshan of the Mother Goddess, whereas thousands others could have the outside glimpse or performed parikrama of the temple. The rush is likely to persist for another four days,� said Kamakhya Debuttar Board secretary Naba Kanta Sarma.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also visited Kamakhya Temple in the morning. During his visit, he interacted with several saints and sadhus who assembled in the temple premises for the Mela and took stock of facilities provided by the administration.
He directed the Kamrup Metro district administration to undertake a survey of the present land use pattern in the entire Nilachal Hill and also to prepare a holistic plan for bringing improvement to the facilities to be provided to the devotees who may visit the Ambubachi Mela in the years to come.
The Chief Minister urged upon the need for drawing up a systematic and comprehensive long-term plan for the coming days so that the devotees to the Mela can be provided with the best facilities to all, especially the elderly persons, women, children and the physically challenged persons.
He also instructed the district administration to enhance the existing facilities, including infrastructure, of the entire temple premises.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Additional Chief Secretary MGVK Bhanu, Kamrup Metro Deputy Commissioner Dr M Angamuthu and other officials.
Despite the ritualistic fervour and grandeur of the fest, the cleanliness of Kamakhya Temple and the entire Nilachal Hills becomes a mammoth task every year after the Mela.
To clear the blocked drains, the temple administration would take the help of fire brigade to flush out the blockage. Other measures would also be taken to disinfect the temple premises and its surroundings.
