Devotees throng Guwahatis Kamakhya temple for a six-day annual fair

Hundreds of devotees are thronging the famous Kamakhya temple in Guwahati where a six-day annual festival began on Friday.

Guwahati, June 22 : Hundreds of devotees are thronging the famous Kamakhya temple in Guwahati where a six-day annual festival began on Friday.

The temple, situated on the banks of Brahmaputra river, is dedicated to the fertility goddess, Kamakhya, consort of Shiva.

The festival is celebrated to mark the menstruation period of the goddess during which sanctum sanctorum of the shrine remains closed.

"The saints and the holy men say this festival has its own importance. Of course, its importance varies from person to person. People come here to get their wishes fulfilled," said Gayatri, a woman devotee.

People observe fast and refrain from eating non- vegetarian food during the six-day festival.

"Whatever you ask from God you'll get. My grandmother told me if you go to Guwahati any time, please go and visit Kamakhaya temple," said Arup Goswami, another devotee.

Both Vaishnavites and Shavites attend the festival. Both the sects do not communicate with anyone during the fasting period.

According to legend the dead body of Goddess Sati was divided into 51 pieces and that the temple is the "yoni peeth" or seat of female fertility.

The idol of goddess Kamakhya inside the temple is represented by a female fertility symbol.

After the fourth day when they break their fast, the holy men as well as devotees freely mix with each other and celebrate by smearing colours on each other. They mostly dress up in red, which is considered sacred.

ANI