Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday inaugurated the four-day Ambubachi Mela, the largest religious congregation in the region.

Union minister of state for tourism Prahlad Singh Patel graced the occasion as the chief guest.

After inaugurating the annual festival, Sonowal urged everybody to make the mela a grand success and ensure that the tourists and devotees return with fond memories. “We are working towards making the mela more attractive in order to draw tourists from across the world.”

Patel said he feels extremely lucky to get the opportunity to visit the mela immediately after taking charge as a central minister. “Ambubachi Mela has given a distinct identity to Assam,” Patel said.

Popular singer Kailash Kher performed Hari Vandana during the opening ceremony, which was held at Sonaram Higher Secondary School playground here at Bharalumukh.

Assam tourism minister Chandan Brahma and chairman of Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) Jayanta Malla Baruah also attended the opening ceremony.

The mela will formally begin with the closing of the doors of Kamakhya Temple on Saturday evening and conclude when the temple doors reopen on June 26 morning. During this period, the goddess is believed to undergo her menstrual cycle.

Lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country as well as abroad throng the mela every year.