Devotees from across the world thronged the famous Kamakhya temple atop the Nilachal hill in Assam's Guwahati to mark the beginning of the annual Ambabuchi Mela - one of the biggest religious congregation of eastern India.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday flagged off the festival and said, "The power of Maa Kamakhya's blessings enables them to contribute meaningfully to sustain an environment of peace and harmony in the world."
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya and is said to be one of the most sacred seats of the Shakti cult. This time, the centre and the state are working together to re-brand the Ambabuchi Mela as an event beyond a religious gathering, in an attempt to use the event to draw religious tourism in Assam.