Legend says that Lord Shiva was so grief-stricken and angry when his wife Sati died that he roamed the earth carrying her body on his shoulder. At the behest of all the Gods, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan chakra to cut Sati’s body into 52 pieces, which fell on earth in places worshiped as shakti paths by Hindus.
Sati’s female organs fell in Kamakhya, Guwahati, and believe it or not they go through a menstruation cycle every year. This period is celebrated as Ambubachi, and a huge meal is generally organised in the temple premises on these auspicious days.
During Ambubachi the doors of the Kamakhya Temple remain closed for three days. It is believed that Mother Earth becomes unclean for these three days and so no farming or crop picking work is taken on.
Daily worship and other religious performances are also stopped during Ambubachi. After the completion of three days, the doors of the Kamakhya Temple are reopened for worship, after Devi Kamakhya has been bathed and the other associated rituals completed. This is a very important ritual of Hindus who follow the Tantrik cult.
Ambubachi happens during the monsoon season, and this year it took place between 22nd to 26th June. A huge annual Mela, with devotees thronging Kamakyha, is organised during Ambubachi which has been canceled this year due to the pandemic.
(The article is solely the opinion of the author)