BARPETA June 9 � The 445th death anniversary of Mahapurush Sri Sri Harideva began at Bahari Satra about thirty kilometers away from here on Tuesday. The six-day-long programme began with the usha kirtan in the wee hours followed by a cleanliness drive from 8 am. After the naam prasanga by both the men and women folk seperately hom jajna was performed at noon followed by recitation from the Guru Charita. Cowboys lit the lamps in the evening and the naam prasanga by the disciples began after that.
The most attractive programme of the celebration is the lighting of lamps to take place on June 11 evening. According to the almanac death anniversary of the great saint is celebrated on the Amabashya (the day of conjecture between the Moon and the Sun) and lights are lit on the previous evening.
In Bahari Satra the most prominent of its kind established by the saint called the Adisatra it is observed in a unique manner. People not only from Bahari but from other neighbouring villages throng the Satra temple since noon to have a suitable place for their lamps to be lit. Thousands of earthen lamps illuminate the Amabashya night with artistic craftmanship of the individual disciples. It is not a fortuitous nor a sporadic incident ,the lamps continue to light all day long . The entire satra campus turns into a sea of humanity that night.
The entire village of Bahari is full of festivity these days. They are ready not only to remember their Guru in a grand manner but also to welcome the visitors coming from outside. The villagers set aside their individual assignments and problems for these few days and there is no place of ennui and boredom till the festival is over.
The lighting of lamps this year will be inaugurated by Pranjit Saikia a social worker. Phanidhar Kalita, Deputy Commissioner of Barpeta and Chandra Sekhar Bhattacharya general manager of Assam Tourism Development Corporation will attend the inaugural function as the chief guest and distinguished guest respectively.
Following the tradition, eatables for dinner will be given to the visitors coming from outside from 7 pm. Religious rituals will also continue during that night.
On June 12 the main function of the anniversary will be held after the naam prasanga and recital from the Guru Charita. Pinda will be offered in Brahmaputra at 1pm that day. The six day extravaganza will come to an end at noon on June 13.
