Assam is synonymous with Kamakhya Temple. This sacred temple is well known across the globe for the annual celebrations of Ambubachi. This year, Ambubachi Mahayog at the revered temple, drew an estimated footfall of over 12 lakh devotees. The massive congregation, which started on June 22 and concluded on June 26 was successfully held due to the wide-ranging coordination effort involving 24 core departments of the State Government.
To ensure smooth logistics and crowd management during the pilgrimage, authorities implemented an extensive and well-coordinated plan.
According to the information shared by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma in X, “Special emphasis was laid on inter-departmental coordination, with the involvement of agencies ranging from the Health Department, Disaster Management, and police, to municipal and transport services. Further, camps capable of accommodating nearly 20,000 devotees were set up at multiple locations across the city.”
The social media post further informed his followers that in addition to general accommodation, separate camps were set up for police personnel while there were dedicated medical camps staffed with doctors which were stocked with necessary medicines.
The facilities became fully functional by June 20, two days ahead of the Mahayog’s commencement, allowing early arrivals to settle in without chaos.
The Inland Water Transport (IWT) ensured sufficient deployment of vessels to facilitate easier access and emergency transit where required. These vessels played a key role in decongesting the land routes and offering alternative connectivity.
Based on the experience of the huge turnout in the last few years, strict regulations were enforced by the administration to maintain order and safety throughout the festival, including complete prohibition on VIP and VVIP movements. Visitors’ entry from 6:00 PM to 5.00 AM was temporarily halted.
A unique and mandatory regulation that stood out this year was the requirement for all pilgrims to remove their footwear under the Nilachal.
Bhaskar Sarma, a trustee of the Kamakhya Devalaya, while speaking to this newsletter said, “It was a planned approach. Because of the strict regulations, the number of visitors were less this year than previous years; more so, we allowed the devotees to visit the temple only. Earlier, people were allowed entry till 8.30 PM but this time no one was allowed after 6 PM. I have a feeling that visitors were satisfied with the arrangements. In the coming years, these arrangements will become more systemic,” he said.
Devotees lauded the arrangements, highlighting the spiritual atmosphere and the seamless management of one of the country’s most important religious gatherings.
“It was truly a blessing to visit the Kamakhya Temple during the sacred occasion of Ambubachi. Despite the massive gathering of devotees at Nilachal Hills over the past few days, I felt the Government and administration ensured smooth arrangements. We must express our sincere gratitude to Assam Police and the concerned officials for their dedicated service,” said a visitor Niyar Deka while speaking to Asom Barta.
Deka also thanked Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Tourism Minister Ranjeet Daas for facilitating this experience, which the State Government is keen to improve.
The Assam Chief Minister after his visit to temple post-Ambubachi told the media “Much work has already been done on the ropeway from Kamakhya Railway Station to Kamakhya Temple. There is also another ropeway project planned from Sonaram Field to the temple, both are underway.”
Costing ₹201 cr, the 1.43 km ropeway will connect the railway station to the Nilachal Hills, easing the journey for thousands of pilgrims. Once operational, it is expected to cut travel time by up to 60 per cent for train travellers heading to the temple.
The State Government has set June 2026 as the target date for completion.
