Guwahati: In order to be a part of Ambubachi Mela in Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, Naga Sadhus put on clothes on Wednesday as authorities could convince them. However, they perform the rituals naked.
Naga Sadhus are major participants at 4-day Ambubachi Mela that is held every year in Guwahati. They live a solitary life and remain without clothes.
“The Naga sadhus have been a part of Kamakhya since ancient times. But some people are now trying to prevent us from doing the rituals at the temple. Nobody can stop us from doing what we do,” Govinda Giri had told the New Indian Express.
Naga Sadhus were expected to take out a nude procession. But authorities were surprised as they all were seen wearing clothes.
“We told them that a section of the devotees doesn’t feel comfortable seeing them naked. We requested them to not loiter around the temple without wearing clothes and they accepted our request,” the Ambubachi Mela Organising Committee secretary, Bhaskar Sarma told.
Nearly 200 Naga sadhus had arrived at the temple from across India and elsewhere till Wednesday, he added.
The state government has made security arrangements to ensure that the event passes off peacefully expecting around 25 lakh devotees to participate in the Mela.