Bordowa Than
Bordowa Than, also known as Batadrava Than, is a holy pilgrimage site in Nagaon district of Assam, India. It is the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva, a 15th-16th century saint and social reformer who founded the Ekasarana Dharma, a form of Vaishnavism. He also established the first Namghar or Kirtan Ghar, a place of worship and prayer, at Bordowa Than in 1468. The Than covers an area of 16 bigha and has several structures such as Manikut, Natghar, Alohighar, Sabhaghar, Rabhaghar, Doul mandir, and a mini museum. The Than attracts devotees from all over Assam and other parts of India, especially during the festivals of Doul Jatra, Sankardev Utsav, Janmashtami, Nandotsava, Phalgustsava, and Ras Jatra.
When are the festivals celebrated at Bordowa Than?
Bordowa Than celebrates various festivals throughout the year, such as:
- Sankardev Utsav: This is a festival dedicated to the life and teachings of Srimanta Sankardeva, the founder of Bordowa Than and the Ekasarana Dharma. It is celebrated in the month of September, coinciding with his birth anniversary. It features cultural programs, literary events, and religious discourses.
- Janmashtami or Krishna Jayanti: This is a festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of August or September. It involves fasting, singing, dancing, and offering prayers to Krishna..
- Nandotsava: This is a festival that celebrates the joyous occasion of Krishna’s birth and his arrival at the home of Nanda and Yashoda, his foster parents. It is celebrated on the day after Janmashtami, in the month of August or September. It involves decorating the temple, distributing sweets, and playing games.
- Phalgustsava: This is a festival that celebrates the arrival of spring and the blossoming of flowers. It is celebrated in the month of February or March, on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna. It involves offering flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deities, and singing devotional songs.
- Ras Jatra: This is a festival that depicts the divine dance of Krishna and the gopis, his cowherd companions, in the forest of Vrindavan. It is celebrated in the month of November or December, on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartika. It involves staging dramas, dances, and musical performances based on the Ras Lila, the story of Krishna’s love play.
Establishment
Bordowa Than was established by Srimanta Sankardeva, a 15th-16th century saint and social reformer, in 1468. He built the first Namghar or Kirtan Ghar, a place of worship and prayer, at Bordowa Than. He also propagated the Ekasarana Dharma, a form of Vaishnavism, from this place till the age of 67.
The Than covers an area of 16 bigha and has several structures such as Manikut, Natghar, Alohighar, Sabhaghar, Rabhaghar, Doul mandir, and a mini museum.
Bordowa Than is considered as the “Dwitiya Vaikuntha”, the second heaven on earth, by the devotees of Sankardeva and the followers of Vaishnavite philosophy.
Dispute of Bordowa Than
Bordowa Than has a long history of dispute over its claims of ownership and management. It was divided into two Satras (monasteries) namely Narowa and Salaguri in the 18th century, after a legal conflict between the descendants of Srimanta Sankardeva. The dispute reached the court of the Ahom King Kamaleswar Singha, who sent his ministers to settle the matter. The Than was equally divided between the two parties, but this led to further complications and controversies;
In 1958, the two Satras were reunified under the banner of ‘Bordowa Than’, and a new Kirtan Ghar (prayer house) was built. However, this did not end the dispute, as there were still issues regarding the administration and maintenance of the Than.
In 2014, the Gauhati High Court took suo-moto cognizance of a news report about encroachment in and around Bordowa Than. The court directed the authorities to evict the illegal occupants and protect the holy site from further encroachment. The court also asked the state government to take steps to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Bordowa Than.
How to visit Bordowa Than :
- By air: The nearest airport is Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport at Borjhar (Guwahati), which is about 120 km from Nagaon. You can take a flight from major cities in India to Guwahati and then hire a taxi or take a bus to Nagaon.
- By rail: The nearest railway junction is Chaparmukh, which is around 28 km from Nagaon. You can take a train from Guwahati or other places in Assam to Chaparmukh and then hire a taxi or take a local bus to Nagaon.
- By road: Nagaon is well connected by road links with Guwahati and other parts of Assam. You can hire a taxi or take a bus from Guwahati or other places to Nagaon. From Nagaon, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus or auto rickshaw to Bordowa Than.
What is the best time to visit Bordowa Than?
According to some sources, the best time to visit Bordowa Than is during the Holi or Dol Jatra festival, which is celebrated in the first week of March every year. This is a festival of colours and joy, where devotees from all over Assam and NE India gather at the holy site to offer prayers and play with colours.
Another good time to visit Bordowa Than is from October to April, when the weather is pleasant and calm, and the temple is decorated with flowers, fruits, and sweets. During this period, you can also witness other festivals such as Janmashtami, Nandotsava, Phalgustsava, and Ras Jatra, which celebrate the life and love of Lord Krishna and his devotees.
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