Monalisa Gogoi-

Ambubachi Mela is an annual fair organised at Guwahati’s Kamakhya Temple.The temple is perched on top of the Ninanchal Hill and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Assam.The Kamakhya Temple is known to be one of the 52 shakti peethas of goddess Shakti. Legend has it that an angered Shakti jumped into the fire after her father insulted Shiva, who then performed the tandava while carrying Shakti’s burning body. If Shiva would’ve completed the tandava, the universe would’ve been destroyed. In order to stop him from doing so, Vishnu released his Sudharshan chakra that split Shakti’s body into 5 parts. The Kamakhya Temple was built where the goddess’s womb and genitals fell.

This mela is also known as Ameti or Tantric fertility festival since it is closely associated with Tantric Shakti cult prevalent in eastern parts of India. Even some Tantric Babas make their public appearances only during these four days. The rest of the year, they remain in seclusion. Some Babas are seen displaying their psychic powers like putting their heads in a pit and stand upright on it, standing on one leg for hours at a stretch.