GUWAHATI, June 13 - The 473rd birth anniversary celebration of Badala Padma Ata � who played a key role in the spread of the Vaishnavaite culture as propagated by Srimanta Sankaradeva and Madhavdeva � got under way at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra here this morning.
As part of the celebrations, a prototype of a sattra (neo-Vaishnavite monastery of Assam) has been set up at the Kalakshetra to give the people an idea of the sattra and its functioning.
The proceedings began with Usha Kirtan at 5 am, followed by installation of Guru Asana at 6 am by Bhabakanta Deva Goswami, Sattradhikar of Sri Sri Kamalabari Sattra, Titabor. It was followed by Puwa Prasanga, and unfurling of the Dharmadhwaja. A cultural procession was a major highlight of the day.
Other events included inauguration of the exhibition on Sattriya culture, inauguration of the Ankiya Bhaona Samaroh, performance of different dance forms, and staging of Ram Bijoy, Parijat Haran and Rukmini Haran.
Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi also visited the Kalakshetra to attend the celebrations.
Badala Padma Ata was the saint who had set up 24 sattras in Upper Assam, including the Kamalabari Sattra in Majuli, in accordance with the instructions of Madhavdeva. These institutions played stellar roles in preserving and spreading the Sattriya culture.
The Sree Sree Badala Padma Ata Seva Samiti, Assam, has been celebrating the birth anniversary of the saint for the past 19 years in various parts of the State in association with local celebration committees.
