Ambuvachi

Ambuvachi, a celebration of the Mother Goddess Devi, is a rite observed in most of north and central India, but most elaborately in Bengal.
During four days in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July on the Common Era calendar), just before the Indian rainy season begins, the earth goddess (Devi) is said to menstruate in order to prepare herself for being fertile. During this period, all plowing, sowing, and farm work is suspended, as the Devi Bhagavatam notes, “If anyone digs ground on the day of Ambuvaˆchıˆ, one remains in hell for four Yugas.” Also, during these days, widows may be required to observe special taboos, as they are not involved in procreation.

Observance of Ambuvachi is focused on seven temples located across northern India (with one in what is now Pakistan), where body parts of Devi are believed to have fallen. For example, the Kamakhya Temple in Assam is, according to the Kalika Purana, believed to have been constructed on the site where her genitalia fell.

References
Dubois, Abbe J. A. Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies. Translated from the French by Henry K. Beauchamp. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1959. Harshananda, Swami, Hindu Festivals and Sacred Days. Bangalore: Ramakrishna Math, 1994. The Srıˆmad Devıˆ Bhaˆgawatam. Translated by Swami Vijn˜anananda. Posted at http:// www.sacred-texts.com/hin/db/index.htm. Accessed June 15, 2010.