An Indian devotee is dressed like Hindu goddess Kali to attract alms from devotees at the Kamakhya temple in Gauhati. (Photo: AP/Anupam Nath)
Ambubachi Mela, also known as Ambubasi festival is held annually during the monsoon season in the Kamakhya Devi Temple at Guwahati, Assam. It is based on the tantric culture and also known as Kamakhya Devi Pooja. Hundreds of Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, have arrived for the five-day festival to perform rituals at the temple during the annual Ambubasi festival that began Monday. Have a look!
An Indian woman devotee is helped get ready at the Kamakhya temple in Gauhati. (Photo; AP/Anupam Nath) A naked Hindu holy man reacts to camera as he walks during a procession on the eve of the Ambubasi festival near the Kamakhya Hindu temple in Gauhati. Hundreds of Hindu holy men have arrived at the temple ahead of the five-day festival in this northeastern Assam state. (Photo: AP/ Anupam Nath) Hindu holy men walk during a procession on the eve of the Ambubasi festival near the Kamakhya Hindu temple in Gauhati. (Photo: AP/ Anupam Nath) A naked Hindu holy man smokes as he walks during a procession on the eve of the Ambubasi festival near the Kamakhya Hindu temple in Gauhati. (Photo: AP/Anupam Nath) A Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, smokes at the Kamakhya temple in Gauhati. (Photo: AP/Anupam Nath) Hindu holy men walk during a procession on the eve of the Ambubasi festival near the Kamakhya Hindu temple in Gauhati. (Photo: AP/Anupam Nath) A Sadhu or Hindu holy man stands at the Kamakhya temple in Gauhati. (Photo: AP/Anupam Nath) A devotee prays as another rests on the steps of Saubhagya Kund, a holy pond, at the Kamakhya temple in Gauhati. (Photo: AP/Anupam Nath) Devotees walk around the Kamakhya temple in Gauhati. (Photo: AP/Anupam Nath) A child dressed as Hindu deity Lord Krishna stands holding a plate to collect alms on the eve of the Ambubasi festival at the Kamakhya Hindu temple in Gauhati. (Photo: AP/Anupam Nath) A Hindu holy man makes a blessing gesture towards the camera at the premises of the Kamakhya temple in Gauhati. (Photo: AP/Anupam Nath)