There is a vast number of different festivals celebrated in entire Assam in India every year. But today, we are going to discuss 3 (Three) largest religious festivals of Assam.
Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya Temple- Month of June
Ambubachi Mela is one of the biggest congregations in eastern India. It is the most important festival of the Kamakhya temple, and it is celebrated in June every year.
It is more of a ritual of austerities; a festival celebrated with Shakti rites. The belief is that Kamakhya embodies the mother cult, the Shakti. During the period of Ambubachi from the seventh to the tenth day of the Hindu month of "Asadha", the shrine's doors are closed to all as it is believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through the annual cycle of menstruation. On the twelfth day, the doors are opened ceremonially and a big fair held at the temple premises.
"Ambubachi" means spoken with water, and it also implies that the rains expected during this month make the earth fertile and ready for procreation. Daily worship is suspended during this period. All agricultural work like digging, plowing, sowing, and transplanting of crops are forbidden. Widows, Brahmacharis, and Brahmins avoid cooked food during these days. On the fourth day, Ambubachi being over, household items, utensils, and clothes are washed, cleaned, and purified by sprinkling sacred waters, worship of Goddess Kamakhya begins after cleansing, and other rituals are performed. Entry to the Shrine is considered to be auspicious after this.
Thus, the concept of Ambubachi has, in its origin, formative influences and elements of agricultural, social, and religious ideas that have contributed to the emergence of the phenomenon. It is thus symbolic, supported by religious sanction.
Kamakhya is also an unrivaled center of Tantrik worship. There is today a society of Tantrik here who celebrate their important Rajaewari pooja. All their rituals are conducted in secret and are open only to initiates. There are no outward displays of this cult except that one sees people in weird clothing lost in their pursuits.
For more information, please log on to www.kamakhyatourism.com
Raas is one of the most popular festivals of Assam. It is a religious festival observed by the Hindu community of Assamese society. Raas Festival showcases Bhaona or traditional dance dramas that depict tales from Hindu mythology. Raas takes place around the full moon night of mid-November, though the exact date changes every year, it is celebrated for three days.
"Ambubachi" means spoken with water, and it also implies that the rains expected during this month make the earth fertile and ready for procreation. Daily worship is suspended during this period. All agricultural work like digging, plowing, sowing, and transplanting of crops are forbidden. Widows, Brahmacharis, and Brahmins avoid cooked food during these days. On the fourth day, Ambubachi being over, household items, utensils, and clothes are washed, cleaned, and purified by sprinkling sacred waters, worship of Goddess Kamakhya begins after cleansing, and other rituals are performed. Entry to the Shrine is considered to be auspicious after this.
Thus, the concept of Ambubachi has, in its origin, formative influences and elements of agricultural, social, and religious ideas that have contributed to the emergence of the phenomenon. It is thus symbolic, supported by religious sanction.
Kamakhya is also an unrivaled center of Tantrik worship. There is today a society of Tantrik here who celebrate their important Rajaewari pooja. All their rituals are conducted in secret and are open only to initiates. There are no outward displays of this cult except that one sees people in weird clothing lost in their pursuits.
For more information, please log on to www.kamakhyatourism.com
Raas Utsav at Majuli- Month of November
Raas is one of the most popular festivals of Assam. It is a religious festival observed by the Hindu community of Assamese society. Raas Festival showcases Bhaona or traditional dance dramas that depict tales from Hindu mythology. Raas takes place around the full moon night of mid-November, though the exact date changes every year, it is celebrated for three days.
Monks perform the dances wearing colorful costumes. Some scenes are also performed by the village troupes, children, and local musicians. Another exciting aspect of the Bhaona dramas is the use of traditional masks made by the monks of Samuguri Sattra of Majuli throughout the year specifically for this event. The classical Sattriya dance can also be seen during the festival. The plays begin in the evening and go on till early dawn.
Many tourists visit Assam during this festival to understand and experience its rich culture. The main centers to enjoy this spectacular festival are the old monasteries in Majuli island, Nalbari, and Barpeta. Many pilgrims flock to these places to witness the event. Dance troupes also perform Raas Lila in the cities and towns.
Doul festival is a famous festival in India. Apart from the rest of the country, it is also colorfully celebrated by Assam's people; mostly, it is a beautiful occasion for the people of Barpeta. During the "doul utsava," the hearts of Barpetians are overwhelmed with festivity and joy.
Many tourists visit Assam during this festival to understand and experience its rich culture. The main centers to enjoy this spectacular festival are the old monasteries in Majuli island, Nalbari, and Barpeta. Many pilgrims flock to these places to witness the event. Dance troupes also perform Raas Lila in the cities and towns.
Doul Utsav at Barpeta- Month of March
Doul festival is a famous festival in India. Apart from the rest of the country, it is also colorfully celebrated by Assam's people; mostly, it is a beautiful occasion for the people of Barpeta. During the "doul utsava," the hearts of Barpetians are overwhelmed with festivity and joy.
It is a festival of color and happiness. Doul festival is an excellent source of joy among the people of Barpeta. During this festival, the people of Barpeta forget their sorrows and agonies and celebrate this festival with traditional delight and enthusiasm. Doul Utsav is also called 'Holi' or 'Rang.'
In the month of "Phagun" and "Chot" the spring comes, the world is filled with the green leaves of the trees, the flowers bloom, birds used to sin sweet songs, the gentle wind blows with fragrance, and everything of this world changed into a different one. And it this precious moment when Doul Utsava of Barpeta celebrated.
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