Guwahati, June 21 -- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday visited the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati and offered prayers to Goddess Kamakhya ahead of the annual Ambubachi Mela to be held in Assam, which is set to commence on June 22.

The four-day festival will begin on the night of June 22 (Monday) and continue till the morning of June 26, drawing lakhs of devotees, including saints, sadhus, tantric practitioners, and pilgrims from across India and abroad. Authorities, along with the Assam government and temple administration, are making extensive arrangements to manage the anticipated massive footfall.

As per tradition, the Doloi (head priest) of Maa Kamakhya Devalaya said the festival marks the annual menstruation cycle of...