Borduwa Than

Borduwa 'Batodrava' than is a holy pilgrimage site in Nagaon , Assam. It is located in the birth place of the great Assamese saint and social reformer Srimanta Sankardev. Sankardev at the age of 19 , established the Borduwa Than in 1468 , it's also the first Namghar or Than constructed . The rituals of this Than is conducted according to the norms of Purush sanghati . The pilgrimage site is located at Batadrava , about 16 km from city and it covers an area of 16 bigha . 

The satra belongs to the sect known as the Purusmahati and the Satradhikar is chosen from a Brahmin or a kayastha family. The satra brought back caste rules and brahminical rituals to a greater or lesser extent deviating from teachings of Sankardeva .

History of Borduwa Than Nagaon - 

Than means a sacred place in Assamese society. Traditionally this word has been use to indicate a sacred place . It was derived from Sanskrit word 'Sthan' meaning place . Srimanta Sankardeva used this indigenous Assamese word 'Than' indicate the residential religious institution created by him. At that time the word 'Satra' was not used . Srimanta Sankardeva himself used the word 'Than' . It was only later that the word 'Satra' started to be used .

            

Srimanta Sankardeva used to practice Nama Prasanga regularly in the kirtanghar along with his follower devotees. This religion EKA SARANA NAMA DHARMA is very simple . There is no unnecessary ritual on his order . Srimanta Sankardeva advocated "EKA DEVA , EKA SEVA , EKA BINEY NAHI KEWA" which means one should worship none but one God , who is lord Krishna . Borduwa became the centre of his religious activities . As such Batadrava has been regarded as the 'Dvitiya Vaikuntha' (second heaven).

Origin of Doul Utsav in Batadrava Than - 

           

Srimanta Sankardeva for the first time introduced and popularized the Doul Utsav in Assam. It is also believed that Sankardeva celebrated the 'Doul Utsav' only once in his entire lifetime that was in Borduwa. In the Doul Mandir the idol completed seven circumambulations around the Doul . Seven rounds around the Doul Mandir symbolically indicates Lord Govindas tour to seven Vaikuntha.

        

Holi the festival of colours is celebrated and widely enjoyed in Borduwa. It is believed that Sankardeva introduced and celebrated the festival only once in his entire lifetime and that is in Borduwa.

Author

Varjina khakhlari

1st Semester, M.A

Dept of Communication and Journalism

Gauhati University