Guwahati: Security has been tightened in an around Kamakhya Temple with installation of about 300 CCTV cameras and deployment of additional forces even as pilgrims and tantriks are pouring into shrine premises in view of the annual five-day Ambubachi fair that begins on June 22 next.
Kamrup Metropolitan district deputy commissioner, M Angamuthu informed that besides elaborate security arrangements other facilities like food, drinking water, and health care had been made available by the administration for the pilgrims coming from various parts of the country and abroad.
He said the city police have deployed more number of police women keeping in mind that there were thousands of women among the pilgrims.
The BJP-led government in Assam has provided RS 2.5 crore special grant to the managing committee of Kamakhya Temple for organization of this year’s Ambubachi fair, the biggest annual religious congregation in eastern India.
“With adequate financial and logistic support from the state government, we have arranged for food and lodging for 10,000 pilgrims in huge two camps set up in the vicinity of the temple. Medical facilities will be available round the clock,” said Bhaskar Sharma, secretary of the management committee.
He said pilgrims would be accommodated in a few more sprawling places in the close to Nilachal Hill atop which Kamakhya Temple is perched.
Accommodation has been arranged for at least 2000 sadhus and tantriks who will pray inside the temple during the five days when the temple’s sanctum sanctorum will be closed for devotees.
The religious congregation at Kamakhya Temple attracts many researchers and tantrik worshippers from far off as well as neighbouring countries besides lakhs of pilgrims from within the country.
The pilgrims wait for the temple door to be reopened after the fair to pay obeisance to the presiding deity, mother Goddess Kamakhya.
