Guwahati: The Famous Ambubachi Mela today began at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati Assam, with the temple closing for 4 consecutive days. Over 2 Lakhs, pilgrims and devotees have gathered atop of Nilachal Hill, where Kamakhya Temple is located.
Kamakhya Temple at Guwahati
The Temple doors were closed at 12:15 pm after the traditional ‘prabriti’ ritual in which the idol of the goddess is covered with a red cloth called ‘angavastram’. They would reopen on June 26 at 8:15 am after the ‘nibritti’ ritual in which the idol is traditionally said to be purified and the cloth removed.
Special Arrangements have been made to ensure Security by deploying 14000 Police personnel, several units of NCC Scouts, installing 100 CCTV Cameras in and around Temple.
To fantasize Tourists, the Government has expended Rs 1.27 Crores.Officials are expecting between 4-5 Lakhs tourists this year, most of them are from outside Assam.
 The Umananda island located in the middle of the Brahmaputra river and the Kamakhya temple would be lighted up during night, as an added attraction.
The Administration has also setup camps at several locations,like Pandu station, Kamakhya station and Sonaram High School field for assistance to out-station pilgrims. They would be providing free toilets, drinking water, tented accommodation and other facility to the pilgrims.
There will be 50 free bus services available for the people, 10 portable toilets in the city, 280 toilets atop the Kamakhya hill in and around the temple vicinity, 100 people engaged in cleaning, 75 medical officers, a surveillance team, grievance cells and control rooms.