SUALKUCHI, Sept 22 - The 567th birth anniversary celebrations of Srimanta Sankardeva, the propounder of the Vaishnavite movement in Assam, began in the silk village today with a four-day colourful programme.
The people of mahapurushiya community here erected plantain trees at their gateways and the rows of earthen diyas set in the plantain tree were illuminated in the evening to mark the eve of the birth anniversary celebrations of the Vaishnavite saint.
The �Bhagawat Shubhyatra�, participated by gayan and bayan and hundreds of male and female devotees was taken out through the main thoroughfares of the village. The family members of each household bowed their heads and received blessings. Earlier in the day, different troupes staged bhaonas in several open places and spread the messages of the Bhagawat.
At Sri Sankardeva Mandir, the Sri Sankar Prakash, the mouthpiece of the Mahapurushia Dharmalochani Sabha was released. In the evening, the theatrical performance by Kanhiganga Natya Samaj, Barihat Mirza was staged.
On September 23, at 4 in the morning the usha kirtan will be performed which will be followed by naam prasanga performed by female devotees at 6 am. At 8 am, Kuladhar Chowdhury, president, Dharmalochani Sabha, Sri Sankardeva Mandir will hoist the flag and at 9 am, the religious processions participated by male devotees will be taken out in every nook and corner of the village.
In the afternoon, the sattriya dance competition will be held and at 9 pm Raja Harichandra, an ankiya naat will be performed by the artistes of Srimanta Kristibikash Kendra. On September 24, the women devotees will march in the main streets of the village chanting hymns from the Kirtan Ghosha.
The main attraction of the day will be the Dharmalochani Sabha. Bhagadip Bayan, assistant professor of Boushi Banikanta College Nagaon, Barpeta will take part in the deliberations as the appointed speaker which would be followed by a cultural programme.
On the concluding day on September 25, a religious discourse will be held with Luhit Kakati in the chair. Writer Rati Mohan Nath will participate in the discourse.
