The Ambubachi Mahayog 2026, one of India’s largest annual Hindu religious gatherings, concluded peacefully without any major accidents or serious untoward incidents, marking a successful festival for both devotees and the administration.
Lakhs of pilgrims from across India and abroad visited the revered Kamakhya Temple atop the Nilachal Hills during the four-day spiritual event. Authorities maintained effective law and order, crowd management, and traffic regulation throughout the festival, ensuring the smooth movement of devotees despite the massive turnout.
However, while the overall event remained incident-free, police recorded a significant number of complaints related to lost and stolen personal belongings, highlighting the challenges that often accompany large public gatherings.
Around 120 Complaints Received During the Festival
According to officials at the Kamakhya Police Outpost, nearly 120 complaints were received during Ambubachi Mahayog 2026. Most of the complaints involved missing or stolen mobile phones, wallets, cash, gold jewellery, handbags, and other personal valuables.
Police said every complaint has been officially registered and forwarded for further investigation. Authorities are also using available technology to trace recoverable mobile phones and reunite recovered belongings with their rightful owners.
Officials noted that not every reported case involved theft. Given the heavy rush and continuous movement of pilgrims, many visitors are believed to have accidentally misplaced their belongings amid the crowded temple premises and surrounding areas.
Smooth Crowd Management Marks Successful Festival
Despite welcoming lakhs of devotees, the administration successfully managed security, traffic, emergency response, and crowd control throughout the festival.
No major accidents or serious law-and-order incidents were reported during the event, reflecting extensive planning by the district administration, Assam Police, disaster response teams, and volunteers deployed across the Kamakhya Temple complex and nearby locations.
The successful conclusion of the festival has been viewed as a positive outcome for one of Northeast India’s most significant religious events, which attracts pilgrims, saints, sadhus, and tourists every year.
Safety Advisory for Future Pilgrims
While the pilgrimage concluded safely, officials have urged devotees to remain vigilant during large religious gatherings where dense crowds can increase the risk of losing personal belongings.
Travellers visiting future editions of Ambubachi Mahayog or other major festivals are advised to:
- Keep mobile phones, wallets, and cash in secure internal pockets.
- Avoid carrying unnecessary gold jewellery or expensive valuables.
- Use hotel lockers or secure storage whenever possible.
- Stay alert in crowded areas and avoid displaying valuable items.
- Report any missing belongings immediately to the nearest police help desk or assistance centre.
Authorities said prompt reporting significantly improves the chances of recovering lost items.
Balancing Faith with Safety
Ambubachi Mahayog remains one of Assam‘s biggest spiritual and tourism events, drawing visitors from across the globe. While the peaceful conclusion of the 2026 festival highlights the success of security arrangements, the number of complaints involving lost valuables serves as an important reminder for pilgrims to remain cautious while participating in large public gatherings.
With effective planning, public cooperation, and greater awareness, future editions of the festival can continue to offer both a spiritually fulfilling and safer experience for devotees.
