THE STORY OF AMBUBACHI MELA IN KAMAKHYA ATOP NILACHAL HILLS ASSAM

Menstruation, the periodical physiological process that a female body undergoes, often faces social resistance to being heard, discussed and even recognized. As a result, a large number of women are devoid of the care they require during these times. The reasons are often attributed to menstruation being a ‘curse’, ‘impurity’ or even linking it to ancient myths. But, is the reality actually so?

Let us talk about Ambubachi Mela here. It is the largest gathering in Eastern India and the fair is held in the month of ‘Asadha’ of the Hindu calendar, roughly falling in the month of June. The Mela is held on the premises of Kamakhya Temple atop Nilachal hills in Guwahati, Assam. It is believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through her annual menstrual cycle from the seventh to the tenth day of the month of ‘Asadha’. During this period, the shrine is kept closed so as not to disturb the Goddess during menstruation. “Ambubachi” means spoken with water and it also implies that the rain is expected to make the earth fertile and ready for procreation. It is believed that the productive menses of mother earth is available to the devotees during this time. On the fourth day of mela, akin to the menstruation being over, household items are cleaned and washed. The worship of Goddess Kamakhya is then started after the cleansing rituals.

Thus, menstruation does find mentioned in ancient religious rituals. It is believed that the rituals are there due to the various essentialities of a person’s day-to-day life, and menstruation has been duly recognized as one of them. This should propel us to move forward in eradicating period poverty in contemporary times. As per NFHS data, roughly 36% of menstruating Indian women are using sanitary napkins, produced locally or commercially. This unhygienic state of menstruation is harboring many diseases for these women. In rural areas, teenage girls often have to miss their schools or colleges for the fear of ‘leakage’. There is also a dearth of emotional support that needs to be given to menstruating women.
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We, at Limitless Stree, are fighting tooth and nail to achieve gender equality by empowering the ‘Stree’ and proper menstrual hygiene is a must for it. We are working relentlessly so that it reaches to all the vulnerable women cutting across different strata of society. Come, join us in ending the period poverty in India.