The Ambubachi Mela is celebrated every year during the Assamese month of 'ahaar' (mid-June) coinciding with early monsoon; when the Brahmaputra river is in its true might.
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The celebration is said to acknowledge the yearly menstruation course of the Goddess Kamakhya, or celebration of feminity in the real sense of the term.
During this period, the Goddess is considered to be extremely powerful, thereby cleansing and revitalising the entire Earth, which in practice is Her body itself. On the 4th day, the deity is bathed to reclaim limpidness and various rituals are performed.
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The temple doors are kept closed for the duration and no pooja/rituals are performed. When the temple doors open on the 4th day, a unique “Prasad” comprising of small bits of red coloured cloth is offered. It is supposedly moist with the menstrual fluid of Goddess Kamakhya.
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Kamakhya Temple is one of the 52 shakti peeths of Hinduism.
The original temple was destroyed during the then Sultan of Bengal, Allauddin Hussein Shah's invasion of the Kamata kingdom in 1498.
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The ruins of the temple was said to have been discovered by Vishwasingha (1515–1540), the founder of the Koch dynasty, who revived worship at the site; but it was during the reign of his son, Nara Narayan(1540–1587), that the temple reconstruction was completed (in 1565).
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1/11: 🍲 Assam's culinary journey is a tapestry of flavors! From ancient roots in rice and fish to modern influences, Assamese food weaves tradition with innovation. Let's explore the delectable story of #AssameseCuisine. 🌾🍚🐟
2/11: 🔥 Spices & Herbs: Ginger, garlic, mustard seeds – these are the heart of Assamese flavors. And then there's "Bhoot Jolokia," the world's spiciest chili, adding a fiery kick to dishes that ignite your taste buds! 🌶️🌿🔥 #AssameseSpices
3/11: 🍃 Natural Cooking: Bamboo & banana leaves take center stage in Assamese cooking. From "Pitha" (rice cakes) cooked in bamboo tubes to unique steaming methods, these natural materials infuse flavors into every bite. Taste the essence of nature! 🍡🍃 #AssameseCooking
In 1942, at the height of World War II, the Japanese were sweeping through South East Asia in a conquering tide, and heading toward the eastern flank of India. The Western Powers were desperately looking for ways to recapture Burma.
1/17
General Joseph Stilwell, an American aiding the Chinese army under Chiang Kai Shek, suggested the construction of a two-lane road from India to China that would snake past north and eastern Burma into Yunnan.
2/17
This project was initially proposed by the British after they prospected the Patkai Range for a road from Assam into northern Burma. It was finally initiated in 1942 after the Japanese had fully captured Burma.
The map of #Assam, as we see toady has changed dramatically over time. Here's a mini-thread on the chronology of events.
The #AssamProvince of British included most parts of NE India & major parts of present day Bangladesh.
Parts of the #AssamProvince went to East Pakistan (Bangladesh) during the Partition of India in 1947.
As per the State Reorganisation Act of 1956, Assam Province with boundary unchanged became the State of Assam. The princely states of Manipur and Tripura became UTs.
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Nagaland has its fair share of history and subsequently the areas under Naga Transitional Provisions Regulation were given statehood in 1963 according to the State of Nagaland Act, 1962.
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Assamese Language - The struggle for speaking in your own tongue!
The #AssameseLanguageAgitation (1830s to 80s) & Official Language Movement (1950s & 60s) are often referred to as the Dark Ages of the Assamese language. Are times any brighter now?
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With the British annexation of #Assam in 1826, and its subsequent annexation with Bengal brought in changes to the region the naive indigenous could ever imagine.
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Organisation & reorganisation of areas sometimes into Assam & then to Bengal and back also contributed largely to the population distribution & movement. This had been a major factor in census data and subsequent policy decisions.
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In continuation of our #TheBrahmaputraSeries here’s some tits & bits on the Rs. 6000 Crore ‘Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Project’ and its effects on the floodplains downstream.
Note: It might be a long thread. A thread roll shall be shared separately.
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#AssamFloods
Officially named The Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project (SLHEP) is located on the Subansiri river at 2.3 kms upstream of Gerukamukh on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
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#TheBrahmaputaSeries
Subansiri is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra. It discharges around 18,799 cubic metres of water per second and contributes 8-10% of the Brahmaputra's total flow.