Shri Shri ‘Batadrawa Satra’

Visit to the birthplace of Shrimanta Sankardeva

"The Kirtan Ghar"

Stepping in the ‘Batadrawa Satra’ which is located at Batadrawa in Nagaon District of Assam makes me feel like walking into another world, and the noisy streets of the city suddenly seem to be very far away. Surrounded by huge and old green trees looking down at visitors, walls are adorned with colorful paintings depicting gods and demons. Entering the “Naamghar” or “Kirtanghar” (main prayer hall) where “naam prasanga” was going on, I found an immediately uplifting and soothing feeling. Many sat and prayed on rugs on the floor, while others bowed and placed offerings before the “Monikut” (raised platform) containing the “ Bhagwata Sastra” (Holy Book) without any idols in it. I sat in a corner cross-legged and felt the positivity of the atmosphere. The entire area was calm, and the ambiance was pure. The splendor of this place is further accentuated by the exuberant foliage of majestic trees and meandering garden.  


Inside the premises the major attraction are “Akashiganga Lake”, a museum or an art gallery preserving age-old manuscripts, instruments and weapons.  An open-air theatre where Traditional dances, musical recitals, dramas and such other cultural activities are held. 



Museum or an art gallery


Museum or an art gallery



“Akashiganga” is a beautiful lake in the campus of the Batadrawa thaan.  The lake got its name from a nearby waterfall. Akashiganga also finds mention as a "pithasthan" (a holy place associated with Shakti cult) in the Kalika Puran. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the lake by the Akashiganga waterfall. The site also offers a view of the Brahmaputra River from a distance.


"Akashiganga" Lake View

Batadrawa (also Bordowa) is the birthplace of Sankardeva, the greatest Vaishnava saint who is considered as the father of Assamese culture. A center of Vaishnava art and culture, this shrine is held in high veneration. Srimanta Sankardeva was a great scholar and literary genius. His eminent literary creation is the “Kirton-Ghosa”, an early Assamese poetical work. In “Gunamala” he had cryptically described the manifold qualities of Lord Krishna in a day to impress the Koch King Naranarayana. For most of his works, Srimanta Sankardeva used the Assamese language of the period so the lay person could read and understand them. But for dramatic effect in his songs and dramas he used Brajavali, an artificial mixture of Braj language and Assamese. His magnum opus is his Kirtana-ghosha  containing narrative verses in praise of Lord Krishna and meant for community singing. 




Dol-mandir

The Dol utsav, a Hindu festival that is celebrated in the day of Holi, On that occasion thousands of devotees visits “Doll -Mandir” at Batadrava. During this festival the devotees visit the shrine and offer colors (Holi) to the feet of Idol. The head of the family observes fast and prays to Lord Krishna and Agnidev. After all the traditional rituals are over, he smears Krishna’s idol with gulal and offers “bhog” to both Krishna and Agnidev. People purchase sweets and distribute each other on this festival. Dol-Purnima, the festival of colour is celebrated with great festivity and joy. On this day, people come out wearing pure white clothes. Certainly there are perennial rituals attached to Holi, the first is smearing of colored powder on each other, and throwing colored and scented water at each time

Finally, a worth visit to the ‘Batadrawa Satra’ great Assamese Religious place and a must visit for every assamese,  God and the Gods are not a psychological product of the Hindu religious mind. They are far older than the universe and are the fountainheads of its galactic energies, shining stars and sunlit planets. They are loving overseers and custodians of the cosmos, earth and mankind.

 

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A traveler, aspiring Freelance writer, Finance Professional and a perfect dreamer trying my best to fulfill my dreams and grab my identity in this huge world....i enjoy exploring new places and want to enjoy my life to its fullest.I belong to the Northeastern part of India and i am very glad to be a part of such a beautiful place.. Contact me: aytree@gmail.com aytree@ymail.com

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