A brief history of Dharmalaya Shree Shree kowamora Satra Dr. Khanindra Dev Goswami A Satra is a monastery or religious institution. There are many institutions in Assam and they have imparted a great contribution to the field of socio- culture and spiritual or religion. Satras are the center of Vaishnavism – a a part of Hindu Religion. In Assam, Satras have been playing the vital role for the preaching and preservation of Vaishnavism. They have contributed to the sphere of the art and culture also. They always make the great effort to established peace and harmony among the people and that is the main purpose of the Satras. The Shree Shree Kowamora Satra is also one of the these. Here, it must be better to mention that the chieftain of the Satra is called the Satradhikar. The pedigress of Dharmacharyas (Satradhikar) from the pioneers to the present Satradhikar of ShreeShree Kowamora Satradhikar of the ShreeShree Kowamora Satra are given below : The Saint Shreemonta Sankardev The Saint Shreemonta Madhavdev Purushuttam Thakur Chaturbhuj Thakur Ai Konaklota (wife of Chaturbhuj Thakur) 1) Anantarai Atapurush*( founder of Shree Shree Kowamora Satra.* Atapurush means forefather) 2) Ramrai Ata (son) 3) Anirudha Ata 4) Jagdish Ata (son) 5) Lava Chandra Ata (nephew, Son of Sumon Ata) 6) Jadurai Ata (son) Founder of the shifted Satra to the present site , in 1876) 7) Padmarai Ata (bachelor, son of Lava Chandra Ata) 8) Purnakanta Ata (younger Brother of Padmarai Ata) 9) Muhichandra Ata( Grandson of Jadurai Ata, Son of Mahendra Ata) 10) Monikanta Ata(younger brother of Muhichandra Ata) 11) Bhugandra Dev Goswami (Son of Muhichandra Ata) 12) Mohandra Dev Goswami (Son of Muhichandra Ata) 13) Jogendra Nath Mahanta (Son of Mahendra Ata) 14) Daula Kanta Mahanta (Son of Gunakanta Mahanta) 15) Nirenjen Dev Goswami (Son of Mohandra dev Goswami) Suffice it to say that the dharmacharya of Shree Shree Kowamora Satra is not placed on the seat of the Satradhikar of the Satra on the basis of elderness or inheritance. The Dharmachaya is the Acharya who is selected and authorized to observe and follow the responsibility and duty of a Guru (spiritual gide) on the basis of efficiency and wisdom following by a democratic system by the people disciples and vaishnavs. (a votary to the Vishnu) The History of the Establishment of the Satra: - Jadurai Atapurrush at frist, made an attempt to preach the Namdharma (a part of Vaishnavism) among the people live along the bank of Namdang tributary in the district of Sivasagar. But he could not be successful there. Because the Vaishnavas belonging to that place were not satisfied and gave little support to him. And that is why he had to leave that place. In 1873 he began to live in a village, named Merbil nearby Sukan Pukhuri. It is five miles away from Sivasagar Town. Thereafter, Jadurai Ata Purush Established this Satra (temporarily) in the place where it is now on the South bank of Disang River. This Ata Purush brought the Mahapravu (idol of God) of the Satra and several special Vaishnavs to the Satra. Among the Vaishnavas - Thapalai Aldhora, Kadam Bayan, Bhabaram Bayan, Madhu Bayan , Moni Bhakat, Bhogi Kakoti, Kinaram Rajkhowa, Jiewram Rajmedhi, Jayanti Bapu were the main. The families of the grand sons of the foresaid Padma Bhuyan, Chidananda Boruah, Manik Boruah , Jugeswar Borah etc. have been bearing various responsible duties to this Satra. It will be wrong if not mentioned that in establishing the Satra , the local Muslims , Mishings, and Ahoms helped Jadurai Atapurush at that time. This Atapurush had been preaching the Namdharma successfully for the long period of 25 years. During the days of this great man a big Namghar (aplace for prayer / worship by Vaishnavs) with wooden post was built. Moreover a Singhasan (an ornamented seat supported on sculptured lions on which an idol or a holy book is placed) made of jack fruit nature wood, was also considered there. There after Padmarai Satradhikar got a big Kirton (Namghar) built with the assistance of the families of the disciples and the various communities of the neighboring village- Merbil, Akhoiphutia, kordoiguri etc. This Kirton Ghar is about 100 hands long and 25 hands wide. More over it was built with 4/5 handed round wooden posts and corrugated iron sheets. He also composed “Ankia” (Brajawali) dramas like – Balichalan, Chyamantak Haran etc. For the expansion of the art and culture of the Satra, late Padnabh Ata was invited and brought and brought from Nagaon Kalsila Satra. He trained the Vaishnavs to the Shankarian culture. Besides , the tradition of Namkirton ( one kind of prayer to Vishnu) at the ideal of Bordowa Than was also provision in this Satra. The preaching of religion: - In 1925 Muhi Chandra Ata the elder grandson of Jadurai Atapurish became the Dharmacharya (Satradhikar) and he preached Namdharma (a part of the Vaishnavism ) successfully in many places. It was the time when Satras (except one or two) never thought to preach the Vaishnavism among the people of Scheduled cast and the Scheduled tribes. But then also this Atapurush thought of the evangelizing of the Mahapurshian Vaishnavism among these communities for the national interest. For that purpose, at first he went to the labour community belonging to an area of Dhemaji under the District of Lakhimpur. Then he met the king of Khamti of Chauchali at the upper of Sadia and having permission, he started preaching the Vaishnavism among the people living there. After that , with a group of Vaishnavs he made a temporary camp at the Ama Thaan in the Abor hill. Here more than 700 people were converted to the Vaishnavism in this context , he was supported by the Games( The chief/ head of a village among certain hill tribes ) named by Takap, Tadum and Taben . They were the inhabitants of the neighboring hills to the Abor hill. Moreover he made and attempt for the preaching of religion in many places there. But be become unsuccessful in these places. Because the conspiracy of the Christian Priest made him failure gain permission from the respective department there. It prevented him. But he was not despaired. He started the preaching Vaishnavism in Dibrugarah also and became successful. There many of the undeveloped tribes were converted to the Vaishnavism. Communal harmony: - This Dharmacharya made a great effort to establish peace and harmony as well. He tried his best to remove the untouched feeling from the society. For that purpose on the 8th Magh in 1921 he solemnized a Sarvajanin Namkirton (one kind of universal prayer /worship offered to God Vishnu) and spiritual drama was also staged on the same day. In association with the disciples of various communities from Sadia to Dhuburi a big feast festival was also celebrated on the bank of the river Desang. There he delivered a powerful dignified speech regarding the doctrines and philosophy of the Vaishnavism . Establishment of Sankar Mandir:- At the attempt and dedication of this Atapurush a temple name Sankar Mandir having the Pada Sila( A stone having foot print) of Shreemanta Sankar Dev preserved in the Satra, was built permanently . This temple is 45 feet tall and it was built as the Ahom kings’ doles (Temple). In 1949 its inauguration ceremony was celebrated magnificently. This inauguration ceremony had been for three days. During this occasion, Nam- kriton (prayer worship offered to God Vishnu) and spiritual dramas were performed. Moreover this Ata Purush arranged a big feast festival for the purpose of removing untouched feelings among the various communities. Expansion of Shankarian Art and culture :- During the days of this Ata Purush , his elder brother Rudra Kanta Ata organized various training camp (temporary )of Shankarian.Art & Culture like Gayan – Bayan , Songs and dance among the scheduled cast in various place in Sivasagar. Moreover he taught them how to play in spiritual drama with Mask. Here it has to be mentioned that the ten headed mask of Ravana a ornamented with Hengul- Haital (Vermillion and yellow orpiment) made by Rudra Kanta Ata, now has been preserved in the Museum of Madraj(Channai). It is a matter of pride. Besides, some other masks were also sent to the various places in India, as demanded. Another important matter is to be mentioned that various types of puppets were made here and with them various types of puppets shows were also performed among the backward tribal’s and scheduled caste areas. This function made them appreciated to the Shankarian Dharma. Finally they were converted to the Vaishnavism. Anantarai Library: - The Anantarai library is one of the most valuable resources of the Kowamora Satra. The more than 250 Sanchi patia Puthi( holy books written on the bark on the Sanchi tree) have been preserved here. Besides there are more than 1000 most valuable books in the Library. Shree Shree Sankardev Anchalik Samittee( block committee):- This committee was formed in 1973 . it has also greatly contributed in various aspects to the society. The birth festival of Shrimanta Shankardev, Rash festival of Lord Krishna and the Holy festival of the Lord Shri Shri Krishna have been magnificently celebrated throughout the three Moujas ( division of district) the Betbari, Thowrah, and East konwarpur. All these functions have been performed in rotation basis at the leadership of this committee, many religious meetings have been arranged for the discussion of the doctrines and philosophy of the Vaishnavism. Moreover it has succeeded to maintain communal peace and harmony. Not only this, but also it has succeed to remove the un touch feeling from the society especially in this area. Kristi Bikash Vidyaloy:- Kristi Vikash vidyaloy is a cultural school. It was established in 1985. It was greatly contributed to the expansion and development of the Shankarian Art and culture like gayan bayan songs and dances. It has provided trainings for the purpose. Ancient resources of Satra: - Amongst the ancient resources of the Satra , the Padasila of Shrimanta Shankardev, one hundred years old five steps wooden Singhashan ornamented with hangul- Haital, Go- pad(foot print of a cow ) Viishnu-pad(foot print of Lord Vishnu), Pancha-Ghanta( a religious ringing bell with a symbol of an elephant) are the main. Moreover, the Kharoms(wooden Sandals) of Anantarai and Jadurai Atapurush , Mala-Bastu (Chaplet) made of rhino horn, of Anantarai also have been preserved in the Satra. A big bomb throwing gun of one pipe and hand bomb gun (khontia Hiloi) offered the king Chakradhwaj Singha, are also here. The remaining part of the dress worn by the Guru Shrimonta Shankar Dev and the remaining part of the Shilikha and Amlokhi(one kind of fruits dry in nature) eaten by Shrimanto Shankar Dev are also well preserved here. Present important wealth of the Satra:- Besides the above stated resources there are many another important things to be mentioned . They have also played a vital role to bring the glory to the Satra:- 1) A permanent welcome gate has been standing at the entrance to the Satra. It is also expands the beauty of the Satra. The Mohila Samity( A committee consisted of the women) of the kowamora Satra got this gate built. 2) The another important assets of the Satra is the Ranga- Mancha ( a house where the various cultural functions are performed) It was built in 1998 with a governmental grant aid. 3) A beautiful Monikut (a house attached to the Namghar in which the idol and other sacred things are kept) also have been newly built in the east of the Namghar. It is 28 feet long. 4) For the development of the culture of the Satra various trainings and functions have been held here. The functions for Chaidhya Prasang (prasise and prayer to Vishnu)and the Ankia Nat(a kind of spiritual drama composed by Shrimanto Shankar Dev and Madhav Dev in Brajawali language) have been also performed here. More over for the development and expansion of Mask culture various training activities have been also been performed. Thus the Shri Shri Kowamora Satra has strongly contributed to the all aspects of the society and spread its influence far and wide. (Ref. Book :-Dharmalaya ShriShri Kowamora Satarar Somu Itibritta- By Jogandra Natth Mahanta)
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 11:33:44 +0000
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