Majuli gears up for Sankardev Janmotsav

As reported in local English Daily 'The Assam Tribune' :

JORHAT, – Away from the pomp and gaiety of Durga puja festivities, Majuli is gearing up for the grand celebration of the 556th birth anniversary of Srimanta Sankardev, the propounder of Vaisnavite culture among the people in the 15th and 16th centuries. As the Mahapurush was born on the Bijoya Dasami day in 1449 AD, organisers are busy in full-swing preparations for the birth anniversary celebration from October 3 (Bijoya Dasami). The celebrations will continue for three days till October 5 in various institutions, naamghars and satras in the river island. “Competitions in Satriya dance, ankiya bhaona and diha naam among the women are being organised, besides spiritual lectures and devotional programmes. We are leaving no stone unturned to make the celebration a grand success,” said Pravat Borah Burhabhakat of Kamalabari. Their central committee is organising the Sankar Janmotsav on the premises of Kamalabari Hemchandra High School in the locality which will remain closed for puja holidays during the celebration. Every year thousands of people throng Kamalabari during the programme where cultural competitions, spiritual lectures and cultural procession by representatives of different communities including the local tribes are organised. Besides, this time more than 40 institutions are going to spread the message of Sankardev among the youths by celebrating his birth anniversary. “The new generation is also very enthusiastic to know the basis of our cultural and social heritage. We feel the need of spreading the philosophy of the Mahapurush among them so that the roots of a better society are laid for the future which is ruled only by humanism, not by the dirty politics of caste, creed and religion,” said Pranjal Saikia, an educated