Majuli island of Assam is known as the spiritual capital of Assam because of the presence of various satras in Majuli. Satras are the monastic institution established by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva and his disciples to propagate neo-vaishnavite form of Hinduism (Ekasarana Dharma). Many tourists and devotees visit Majuli Island every year to learn and understand the unique culture of the satras of Majuli. In this blog, we will discuss about satras of Majuli, its history, and culture and learn what makes the satras of Majuli so unique and important to the culture of Assam.
Introduction: Majuli Island of Assam
Majuli Island of Assam, is renowned as one of the world’s largest river islands, spanning across an extensive area of 483 square kilometres. Originally, it was a subdivision of the Jorhat district of Assam, but in 2016, it was granted separate district status, with its headquarters situated in Gormur.
According to the 2011 census, the Majuli district is home to a population of 167,304 residents. The people of Majuli island of Assam mainly speak Assamese and Mising/Mishing language. Unfortunately, the island has experienced significant land loss, with over 500 square kilometres of its territory eroded by the relentless waters of the Brahmaputra.
About Satras of Majuli
The origins of various cultural traditions such as Borgeet (traditional devotional songs of Assam), Ankita Naat (traditional dance drama), Sattriya Dance, Bhortaal Nrittya (traditional dance), Paalnam (religious congregation), and more can be traced back to the satras of Majuli.
Origin of the word ‘Satra’
The word ‘satra’ has its origin in Sanskrit. In the Rig Veda, the word means “that which protects the good and the honest.” Satra also has some affinity with the Buddhist “Samgha.” If the Buddhist Samghas have the monks; the satras have the bhokots. Yet another viewpoint about the origin of the word satra is that the word can be traced to the word ‘sattra’ found in the Bhagavata purana, which means a sacrificial session where the Bhagavata purana is recited and explained to the group of devotees.
The First Satra of Majuli
During the era when Sankardev propagated neo-Vaishnavism, Assam experienced a phase of political turmoil, compelling Sankardeva to constantly relocate. In the 1520s, Sankardeva settled in Dhuwahat near Ahatguri on West of Majuli (the place is now washed away by river Brahmaputra). It was at Dhuwahat that Sankardev encountered Madhavdev, his spiritual successor. Tradition holds that Sankaradeva established the first Satra in Majuli at this location by planting a Bilva tree and designating the site as Belguri. Sankaradeva resided in Dhuwāhāt for 14 years before venturing towards Western Assam.
However, the Belguri-Dhuwahat area was washed away by the river Brahmaputra in 1913 and the Dhuwahat-Belguri satra of Majuli has to be relocated to Narayanpur, North Lakhimpur district of Assam.
Development of Satras of Majuli after Sankardeva
In the post Sankara-Madhava period (17th century onwards), Mājuli once again became one of the main centres of propagation of Neo-Vaishnavism due primarily to the pioneering efforts of Saint Vamsi Gopala Deva and his successors.
Delegated by both Madhavdev and Damodardev to spread their teachings in Eastern Assam, Vamsi Gopala Deva faced significant challenges. Enduring almost a decade in clandestine existence to evade the oppression of the Āhom king, he confronted not only external threats but also battled so-called bauddhas (pseudo-Buddhists) who attempted to poison him. Despite these adversities, Vamsi Gopaladeva persisted in his preaching endeavors. Triumphant over hostile forces, he rendered Eastern Assam nearly secure for the Vaishnavas.
Architecture and Layout of a Satra in Majuli
Generally, the Satra is quadrangular in shape. Each Satra has four structures- a Naamghar (Prayer Hall) , a Manikut (Sanctum Sanctorum), a Batsora/Korapat (gateway of the Satra) and Hatis (Residencial houses). Namghar and Manikut are centrally placed around which are organized other spaces such as the Karpat, residence of Satradhikar , store-house, quarters for bhaktas/bhokots, guest house, etc. In general, all Satras of Majuli has an excavated water body with rich biodiversity including fish.
The plinths of the Namghar and the residential units are constructed out of the soil excavated for formation of the ponds. Above this plinth the construction is of timber frame with wattle and daub (bamboo matt panels plastered with mud mortar on either side). The sloping roof is made up of timber frame and covered with corrugated metal sheet cladding.
Important Satras of Majuli
The most famous and significant royal Satras of Assam are known as Chari-Satras (four Satras) namely Kamalabari Satra (1600-1625 A.D.), Dakshinpat Satra (1653 A.D.), Auniati Satra (1654 A.D.) and Gormur satra (1715 A.D). All these four satras of Majuli play a vital role in maintaining the age old tradition and culture of Assamese society.
Auniati Satra
It was founded by Niranjan Pathak Dev in 1653 AD, with the initiative of Ahom king Jayadhwaj Singha. It is the first satra patronised by the Ahom kingdom. Auniati Satra was established at lower part of Majuli, clearing a forest area full of some wild betel (Aunipan) plants. So the Satra came to be known as Auniati. The museum of the Auniati Satra has an enviable collection of historical relics, old Assamese utensils, Jewelry handicrafts and ivory works. The Satra is also famous for ‘Paalnaam‘ and ‘Apsara Dance‘. Palnam of Auniati Satra is celebrated during the Assamese month of Kati (mid- October) from 25th to 29th.
Do you know that the Auniati Satra, under the leadership of then satradhikar Sri Sri Dattadeva Goswami, published a news Magazine “Assam Bilasini” way back in 1871. This was the second Assamese news Magazine.
Dakhinpat Satra
Garmur Satra
Begenaati Satra
This satra was founded by the grandson of Sankardeva’s stepmother Murulidev in the year 1654. This Satra belongs to Purusha Samhati sect. This Satra was affected twice by erosion by the Brahmaputra, thus compelling it to shift from its original position. Ahom King Lakhmikanta Singha Patronized this Satra and donated vast tracts of land and wealth. However, its wealth plundered by the Burmese soldiers in during Burmese invasion of Assam in 1826. Pholgutsav, Death anniversaries of past satradhikars, Tithis of Sankardev and Madhabdev, Janmastami , Rasotsav are celebrated in this satra with traditional pomp and fervor.
Kamalabari Satra
Kamalabari Satra was founded by Badala Padma Ata, the founder of Nika Sanghati Sect of Satra in 1656 AD. Initially a swordsman in the army, Badala Padma Ata exhibited a supreme distrust in worldly affairs after witnessing the large-scale massacre of men and animals during his tenure at Ahom army, and became a disciple of Madhavdev at Koch-Behār. He is considered the junior most of the apostles of Madhavdev. Madhavdev instructed Padma Ata to preach vaishnavism in Majuli and upper Assam area by establishing satras. In 1656 AD, he founded Kamalabari Satra at the orange (Kamala) garden of Purusuttam Baruah of Bezboruah family of Sivasagar. That us why it is known as Kamalabari Satra. Later on, Kamalabari satra became one of the foremost culturally developed Satras of Assam. The Satradhikar and Bhakats of these Satra had celibate lives. The finest boats on the island are made here. It’s branch, Uttar Kamalabari Satra, has showcased the Satria Art in several states of India and abroad.
Samaguri Satra
Dikhoumukhiya Bor Elengi Satra, Ouba Satra, Elegi Bahjegoni Satra, Prachin Chamoguri Satra, Elegi Tokubari Satra, Belesandhia Satra, Majuli Bor Elengi Satra, Aadi Bihimpur Satra, Adhar Mahora Satra, Sakupara Satra, Dhakanpat Achomi Satra, Madhya Majuli , Elegi Madharguri Satra, Shkola satra, Ananta Kalsila Satra, Natun Chokla Satra, Purniya Satra etc.
Who are the residents of Satras of Majuli?
The occupants of the Sattra can be broadly classified into two categories: the Satradhikar and the Bhakats. The Satradhikar is the religious and the administrative head of the Sattra and all the devotees who stays permanently within the Sattra are known as Bhakats. Sometimes, deka-satradhikar is also appointed to who acts as second in charge of the Satra. They are responsible for different kinds of duties related to the Sattra activities. These duties vary from administrative, maintenance, religious, and religious cum cultural activities.
Important Festivals of the Satras of Majuli Island
Majuli as the land of Satras has been cherished the rich cultural life since the medieval periods. Almost all the customs, functions and festivals are monitored by the Satras. Among these Palnam, Ras-lila, Janmastami, Barsik-Bhaona, and Bihu are the popular ones.
Palnam of Majuli
It is a religious festival organised by the Satras of Majuli, especially of Auniati Satra, Palnam is a combination of two words, ‘Pal’ means turn by turn and ‘Nam’ means congregational prayer or chanting the name of God. Consequently Palnam means organising the continual congregational prayers or chanting the name of God from the text of Bhagawata, Kirtan Ghosa, and Namaghosa by the ‘Bhakats’ devotees of the Satra in rotation. Generally, Palnam is a continuous event organised for 24/36/48 hoirs or even more.
Raas Leela or Ras Mahotsav
Majuli has earned the adequate fame for the classical Performing arts and among these the Ras lila or Krisna Lila (demeanour of lord Krishna) is the exceptional. The Ras Festival organised in Majuli is the story of the life of Lord Krishna presented in form of Performing art with music and dance and it had great influence on the spectators, spiritual life and people of Majuli. It was introduced by Srimanta Sankardeva who did not merely narrated a detailed chapter on RasKrida but also composed a drama of Keli-Gopala and performed himself at Patbausi in Barpeta. Ras lila is an annual festival celebrated on the (Purnima) full moon day in the month of October and November during the autumn season and largely celebrated by the highest number of the people both inside and outside the Satra community. Performance of the Raslila is a combination of various artefacts as variety of musical instruments, music and dance, including masks and paintings and all this creates an ambience of whole Assamese classical musical and dance performance.
Read this blog to know more about Raas Mahotsav of Majuli
Janmastami
It is celebrated as birth day of Lord Krishna, observed on the eighth lunar day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadra (August). It is celebrated with full enthusiasm almost by all the Satras and the villagers including Missing and Deori tribes even by non Assamese community of the island. Janmastmi is a two-day celebration however some of the Satra and local people performed it for single day followed by offering Puja, holding the. Nam-prasanga (congregational prayer), Vrat (Fasting) and performing the drama portraying the birth of the Lord Krishna, the devotee inmate of the Satra recite the Krishna janma Kanda (narration of the event of birth of Lord Krishna) from the Kirtan Ghosha of Sankardeva.
Phalgu Utsav Yatra
It can be compare with a popular Hindu festival ‘Holi’, celebrated almost each and every part of India, according to the Assamese chronicles Phalgutsav was initially introduced by Sankardeva at his birth place at Bardowa ‘Than’ situated in Barpeta Satra, at present comes in modern Nagaon district. Phalgutsav, dual-Yatra or generally termed as Phakuwa celebrated in the month of Phalguna (February – March) consequently called Phalgutsva it is believed that Lord Krishna played colour (Rang and Abir) with gopis (beloved female devotees) and fellow friends at his birth place Gokula, hence it is a festival celebrated enthusiastically playing with colours. Sankardeva portrayed this event in his writings ‘Bargeets’ and Madhavadeva narrated the event how Lords Krishna plays colours ‘Rang’ or ‘abira’. Whereas the dual-yatra compiled by two words ‘dual’ means temple like decorated house enshrined with seating image of Lords Krishna and ‘Yatra’ means procession, so dual-yatra is a procession of Lord Krishna’s idol sitting inside the temple like house observed by Satra and community. During the procession all the natives offer the prayer and offerings and play colours.
Barsik Bhaona or Bar-sabha
It is observed as the celebration of annual drama performance while all the performances are firmly religious in nature, and based upon the life story of Lord Krishna (plate-2.21). The festival follows the grand congregational prayer reading of Bhagwata, distribution of Maha-prasad, and performance of the Bhaona (Vaisnavite theatrical performance) goes up to whole night the various musical instruments like flute, harmonica, manjira and most importantly ‘Khol’ a form of conical drum, it is interesting that Bihu is popularly alleged, festival of ‘dhol’ and Bar-Sabha is festival of ‘Khol’. In general the festival has been organised in the month of May and June but flexibly sometime last week of April or in starting week of July also and eagerly participated by all the native people and organized by almost each and every village except some of tribes.
Bihu
Bihu is the most celebrated festival of the whole Assam and regarded as the National festival of Assam observed thrice in a year namely Bohag Bihu (Rangali Bihu) observed in the month of April, Kati Bihu in the month of October, and Magh Bihu in the middle of January. Among them, Bohag Bihu is popular as ‘Rangali Bihu’ is the most popular and observe integrally by the each every fraternity of casts and religion of Assam with full of passion. Bihu is a Secular festival and in Majuli also it is celebrated as other places of Assam except a bit tint of Vaisnavism for an instance the Bohag Bihu started with the Sacred Bath (Snan) followed by bathing and feeding of the cows, as cows are very affectionate to Lord Krishna, recitation of the verse and prose from the religious scriptures (Bhagwata) portraying the Activities of Lord Krishna and Radha, occasion of Bihu starts with the Congregational prayers in the Namghar (Prayer hall of Satra ) and then performance of Bihu songs and dance with all folk Musical instruments like Gagana (Bamboo Instrument) flute, pepa (Buffalo-Horn) and Most importantly ‘Dhol’ (cylindrical Drum), by the teams of Young males members of the village . Subsequently Magh bihu is celebrated on the day of ‘Makar Sankranti’ or Sankranti also popular by different names in all the other parts of India, in Majuli it celebrated as the close of the season of harvesting of the winter crops mainly bao and Sali (a kind of Rice) and availability of enough stock of various food items like milk, curd, butter, rice, fish, vegetables, fruits, gur (jaggery) and different nuts and spices consequently after harvesting the festival has been celebrated as refreshments and nourishments. Pitha is the identical and delicious edible of Magh Bihu popular in all over Assam.
