Pilgrims throng Kamakhya temple

GUWAHATI, June 23 – The atmosphere in Kamakhya wears a festive look as pilgrims continue to throng the hilly locale anticipating the opening of the temple doors, which closed on June 22. Till today about two lakh, twenty thousand pilgrims have visited the temple town, even though the doors would open for pilgrims only on Friday morning. The nibritti, however will take place some hours before the pilgrims are allowed inside the temple. This year visitors have come in from several foreign countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Switzerland and USA. A sizeable number of pilgrims have also arrived from Bangladesh and Nepal. According to sources, some members of the royal family of Nepal have also come to worship at the shrine. The members would offer a sacrifice for the well being of the Nepalese royal family on Friday. Jae-Eun Shin from Korea, and Ryo her companion from Japan, who have come here as research scholars remarked that the ambience in and around the temples was full of colour and religious intensity. They however felt that gathering of research material is difficult because of very different versions that are claimed as authentic accounts. Adding to the religious fervour, representatives of the Shankaracharya of Kancheepuram have also arrived at the temple today. They would bequeath a gold Stree Yantra and a silver Matuk tomorrow evening. Meanwhile, a large number of sadhus, sanyasis and astrologers have also assembled at the temple premises. Sadhus belonging to the Bamachari sect, appear to constitute the majority. Even though a large number of people have assembled in Kamakhya, electricity and drinking water supply have been creating some problems. As reported by some residents of the temple town, the Department of Tourism has also failed to promote the festival in any major way.