MANGALDAI, March 13 - Celebrations for the 450th foundation year of the historic Khatara Satra, an ancient holy place of Vaishnavite philosophy and culture founded in the year 1568 by Vaishnavite saint Lesakonia Gobinda Aata at Dipila under Sipajhar Assembly constituency in Darrang district, got under way on Friday.
The three-day-long celebration began with the hoisting of the flag of the Satra Management Committee by its president Jadav Chandra Mahanta in the presence of Binanda Kumar Saikia, president of the celebration committee and the legislator of Sipajhar.
The day featured several programmes including inauguration of the main entrance and an exhibition-cum-book fair by Darrang Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Dass and Superintendent of Police Amrit Bhuyan, respectively.
A few other programmes like lectures and book release, Aai Matri Samaroh, presentation of Darrangi folk culture, Khulia Bhawaria, plantation and lighting of 450 earthen lamps were also held.
In the next two days, a series of socio-cultural and spiritual programmes like Bhagawat procession, presentation of Satriya music and bhaona, open sessions and cultural evenings, etc. will be organised.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and several other distinguished guests have been invited to the open session on the third and final day.
Asam Sahitya Sabha president Dr Kuladhar Saikia, veteran academician Dr Pradipjyoti Mahanta, Srimanta Sankardev Sangha�s former chief Bhabendra Nath Deka, Boro Sahitya Sabha president Taren Boro, and Basanta Khetan of Kaziranga University are among the prominent persons invited to the open session on Saturday.
