Two days before the beginning of the Ambubachi Mela 2023, on June 20, the officials of Maa Kamakhya Devalaya made a significant announcement – declared the largest religious congregation of Assam as a NO SMOKING ZONE. The announcement to declare the Ambubachi Mela 2023 as a NO-SMOKING ZONE is an effort to promote a healthier environment for everyone attending the religious congregation in the holy Kamakhya Temple. But, the smoking ban has vanished in thin air – as Sadhus and devotees were seen smoking like chimneys in the open during the Ambubachi Mela. The Sadhus, who are the self-proclaimed holy men, have exempted themselves from the ban on smoking in public places under the guise of religious freedom. The Sadhus argue that smoking is an essential part of their spiritual practice and that they need it to remain connected with God. Speaking to G Plus, Maa Kamakhya Devalaya official stated, “We have already issued a no smoking order in the temple premises. We have even banned incense sticks and earthen lamps this time.” “There are police, scouts, and guides who are supposed to check if someone’s smoking or not around the Kamakhya Temple,” the Kamakhya Devalaya official said. The Kamakhya Devalaya officials said the shopkeepers around the Kamakhya temple don’t even sell cigarettes and bidis. “But we cannot guarantee that people coming from outside the state are even aware of this. We have asked police officials to charge fines,” the Devalaya official said. The Ambubachi Mela is the largest religious festival of Assam and is held every year at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. During the festival, thousands of devotees and Sadhus from all over India gather to celebrate the menstruation of the goddess Kamakhya. The festival is a significant event in the region, and the government takes various measures to ensure the safety of the devotees.We haven’t got any complaints from the Devalaya committee yet. So, we haven’t taken any actions so far,” the police official said. Police officials deployed for Ambubachi Mela duty said thousands of people are entering the temple premises, and it is not possible for them to frequently monitor because they are stationed in the designated area. To protect the devotees and uphold law and order during the Ambubachi Mela, the police have strengthened their presence. A team of 800 volunteers from various groups, including scouts and guides, civil defence, and private security, is stationed in and around the Kamakhya Temple grounds over the five days of the Ambubachi Mela. Three crucial police control rooms are built at the hilltop VIP parking area near the temple grounds, Prashanti Lodge, and Kamakhya Cutting. This year, Nilachal Hill has been kept open to worshippers until 9 pm, according to the Kamakhya Devalaya Committee. Though the authorities urged young children and elderly people to not visit the Ambubachi Mela for safety reasons, the scene, however, was opposite. When the G Plus team visited the Ambubachi Mela site, they witnessed hundreds of children and elderly people making the arduous walk from the bottom of the Nilachal Hilltop to the top and taking part in the grandeur festival.
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