Prelims: Current events of national and international importance
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Recently, the annual ambubachi mela festival has been inaugurated.
Ambubachi Mela – It marks the annual menstruation period of Goddess Kamakhya.
It is regarded as a powerful symbol of fertility, creation, and womanhood in the Shakti tradition.
Celebrated in – Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati, Assam.
Temple Closure – The temple doors remain strictly closed for 3 days as the goddess is believed to be in her period of purification and divine energy replenishment.
Reopening – On the fourth day, the temple reopens to thousands of waiting pilgrims.
Unique Prasad – Consisting of small, moist pieces of red cloth that are believed to be soaked in the goddess's menstrual fluid
Kamakhya Temple
Situated on – Nilachala (Blue Hill).
Constructed period – The present structure was rebuilt in 1565 CE using the remains of an earlier stone temple dating to the 11th–12th centuries CE.
Temple style – Blend of the Nagara (North Indian) style and the Saracenic (Mughal) style.
This fusion gave rise to a distinct architectural form known as the Nilachala Style, which later became a prominent temple-building tradition in Assam through royal patronage.
Layout of the Temple – It consists of 5 main chambers:
