GUWAHATI, June 26 - Doors of the Kamakhya Temple were thrown open for devotees today as the four-day Ambubachi festival concluded recording a massive footfall of more than 25 lakh. With grandeur of the fest increasing with every passing year, the need for permanent infrastructure to host the event is now being felt.
More than 40,000 people performed the darshan today.
As the Nibhrity ritual was completed at 7.26 pm on June 25, the main gate of the temple was opened at 5.30 am, one-and-a-half hours ahead of the stipulated time to accommodate the rush of devotees. Though the temple entry gate was closed at 6.30 in the evening, the devotees already queuing up were allowed to go inside the temple.
Along with the other visitors many dignitaries also visited the Kamakhya Temple today. Governor PB Acharya, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and State Cabinet Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the temple today.
Dharmendra Pradhan announced Rs 25 crore to the Kamakhya Temple for improving infrastructure facilities under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of the oil companies.
Every year, a sizeable number of devotees and visitors flock to the Kamakhya Temple to be part of the festival. However, due to a quantum leap in the number of devotees this year, the administration had a tough time managing the rush and maintaining cleanliness simultaneously.
�The holy and hallowed mega event of the Ambubachi Mela 2016 has come to a glorious end with a never-before-witnessed congregation of a two and a half million (25 lakh) devotees,� said Dr M Angamuthu, Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup Metro.
He said the State government put in the best efforts to ensure a safe, clean and hassle-free experience to the 25 lakh devotees, tourists and visitors.
The district administration has estimated that on June 24, at the peak congregation hour, a confluence of 5 lakh-plus devotees thronged the Nilachal Hill of the Kamakhya Temple.
�Looking at the number of devotees this year, it is now important to create some permanent infrastructure to accommodate people as well as for other necessary arrangements. The festival passed off peacefully without any major difficulty. However, we are considering some other necessary preparations for the next year to lessen the congestion on the approach road, finding more open space and some other minor issues, which have been seen this time,� stated sources in the temple management committee.
