In the month of Ashara (Sanskrit: Ashadha, Hindi: Ashadh), when the Sun is in the house of Mithuna Rasi and steps into the first pada of the constellation Adra, after Mrigasira, the period of Ambubachi commences and continues until the fourth day. Mother Earth is said to enter the period of menstruation in this time. It is interesting to note that this occurrence of the Sun’s entry into the first Padma of Adra constellation invariably takes place on the 6th or the 7th day of Ashara in Indian Calendar. Generally, Ambubachi starts on the 7th day of Ashara.
The traditional belief is that our sacred Mother Earth is also like a fertile woman. The earth cultivates and germinates seeds and grows crops – becoming pregnant as if in coition. That is why the woman’s womb is compared to Kshetra for cultivation. Ambubachi symbolises this phenomena of an ancient agricultural concept. In the Bodo community it is called Amthisua, in Hindu society of lower Assam it is called Amoti or Ameti, and in West Bengal it is called Ambabati.
According to tradition, we are the children of Mother Earth. Thus, the concept of Ambubachi possesses agricultural, social, and religious ideas that contributed to the emergence of this phenomenon, resulting in observance of rituals for the occasion.
According to tradition, we are the children of Mother Earth. Thus, the concept of Ambubachi possesses agricultural, social, and religious ideas that contributed to the emergence of this phenomenon, resulting in observance of rituals for the occasion.
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