Festival and celebrations

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Guwahati, June 26: The sacred Ambubachi festival at the revered Kamakhya Temple has once again transformed Nilachal Hill into a vibrant centre of spirituality, attracting thousands of devotees along with an extraordinary congregation of saints, ascetics, and spiritual masters from across India and abroad. The annual religious gathering has become even more captivating this year with the presence of several uniquely known holy men, including the famous ‘Dollar Baba’, West Bengal’s ‘Chocolate Baba’, and ‘Card Baba’, whose distinctive traditions have drawn the attention of pilgrims and visitors alike.

Recognized as one of India's four principal Shakti Peethas, Kamakhya Temple holds immense religious significance in Hinduism. According to ancient beliefs, worshipping Goddess Kamakhya during Ambubachi enables saints, yogis, and devotees to attain spiritual strength and divine blessings. This belief brings together ascetics from remote Himalayan regions, Naga sadhus, monks from various monasteries, temples, and ashrams, all of whom gather to perform tantra rituals, meditation, chanting, and intense spiritual practices during the festival.

The centuries-old shrine, steeped in mythology and tradition, has witnessed an overwhelming influx of pilgrims this year. Alongside the sea of devotees, many uniquely dressed holy men have become major attractions. Among them is Sri Mahant Ranjitananda Giri Maharaj from Durgapur in West Bengal, affectionately known as ‘Chocolate Baba’. Unlike conventional ascetics, he offers chocolates to devotees who seek his blessings, making him especially popular among children and families visiting the temple.

Another widely recognized spiritual figure attending the festival is Mandal Sri Mahant Nirmalananda Giri Maharaj, popularly known as ‘Card Baba’. He has also drawn considerable attention from pilgrims. Joining them are Mandal Sri Mahant Rabindrananda Giriji Maharaj and Sri Mahant Umashankar Puriji Maharaj from the famous Tarapith pilgrimage centre, along with numerous other respected saints representing different spiritual traditions.

This year's Ambubachi gathering has brought together saints from all thirteen recognised akharas, including the prestigious Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara. Representatives from seven akharas of Naga sadhus have also established camps on Nilachal Hill, spending their days and nights immersed in meditation, austerity, and religious rituals. Their presence has significantly deepened the spiritual atmosphere surrounding the temple complex.

Many ascetics attending the festival have amazed devotees with their extraordinary lifestyles and vows of penance. One holy man has reportedly kept his right arm raised continuously for the past sixteen years as part of his spiritual discipline. Another has taken a twelve-year vow never to let his feet touch the ground and spends his life suspended in a specially constructed wooden swing, demonstrating an exceptional level of dedication to religious austerity.

The most talked-about spiritual personality at this year's Ambubachi festival is undoubtedly ‘Dollar Baba’, whose real name is Sri Mahant Tantra Samrat Rajneesh Muniji. Unlike many others, he never asks devotees for donations. Instead, anyone who serves him or seeks his blessings receives a United States one-dollar note as a gift. He accepts offerings only if devotees leave donations anonymously without his knowledge, a practice that has made him one of the festival's most fascinating figures.

Nilachal Hill is currently resonating with the footsteps of countless pilgrims, priests, monks, and devotees. The sounds of temple bells and conch shells blend with continuous chanting, meditation, tantric rituals, and devotional prayers, creating an atmosphere of profound spiritual energy. The gathering of saints from Juna Akhara and various other religious orders has prompted many devotees to compare the occasion with a "second Kumbh Mela" because of its scale and spiritual importance.

Religious belief holds that worshipping Goddess Kamakhya during Ambubachi fulfills the wishes of devotees while granting spiritual power to saints and ascetics. Driven by this faith, lakhs of pilgrims from every corner of India have gathered at the temple to seek divine blessings during the sacred period.

The festival has also attracted international visitors. A devotee from New Zealand returned to Kamakhya after first visiting the temple four years ago. He said the profound spiritual experience he gained during his earlier visit inspired him to come back once again. During his stay, he has interacted with several saints and learned sacred mantras, deepening his understanding of India's ancient spiritual traditions.

The distinguished participants is also a female ascetic known as Maa Bhavani, who has travelled from Rajasthan to take part in the religious ceremonies associated with Ambubachi. To ensure the smooth conduct of the festival, the Kamrup Metropolitan District Administration and the Kamakhya Temple Management Committee have implemented extensive arrangements for the convenience and safety of devotees. The temple's chief Doloi, Kabindra Prasad Sharma, has appealed to all pilgrims to maintain discipline and cooperate in ensuring the peaceful and successful observance of the sacred festival.