GUWAHATI:
On Saturday morning, around 02:29 AM, the Maa Kamakhya Devalay doors opened for religious rites.
Although the doors remain closed to worshippers till June 30, the doors for religious rites have been opened following the completion of 'Nivritti.'
Previously, owing to the continuing COVID-19 problem, the Maa Kamakhya Devalay officials chose not to hold the Ambubachi Mela, for the second time in a row.
Ambubachi Mela in Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati this year will be observed only by performing Vedic rituals due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation. Since the last year, the temple committee has to suspend the mela for the deadly pandemic. The rituals will be performed strictly following the COVID-19 norms, the committee said.
Meanwhile, the administration has imposed a ban on entering devotees and visitors into the temple premises. If such a passenger arrives, efforts will be taken to ensure that the pilgrims return to their respective destinations.
Earlier, the District Magistrate Kamrup Metropolitan District administration has urged the Commissioner of Police, Guwahati to not allow any devotee/pilgrim coming from other parts of the state (except the residents of the Nilachal hill) to travel uphill of the temple on the above-mentioned dates during the festival period i.e 22/06/2021 to 30/06/2021.
Further, the Station Superintendent, Guwahati and Kamakhya Railway Station has also been directed to take necessary action and are requested to make necessary arrangements so that pilgrim from other parts of the country do not visit the temple on the concerned occasion, due to closure of "MAA Kamakhya Devalaya" and cancellation of "Ambubachi Mela 2021" due to COVID-19 Pandemic.
The temple has been closed since May 13 this year given the surge in COVID-19 cases in the State. In a statement, the temple authority, however, said that only rituals will be performed inside the temple by the priests.
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