BARPETA, Sept 25 � Hectic preparations are on here to celebrate the 566th birth anniversary of Vaishnavite saint and reformer Srimanta Sankardeva. The Barpeta Barbazar Jubak Sangha will celebrate the birth anniversary of the saint with four-day programmes from October 2 to 5.
Haren Das and Kshirod Kumar Das, president and secretary respectively of the Barpeta Barbazar Jubak Sangha, stated that the programmes would get under way with a prayer at 7:30 am on October 2. This will be followed by the installation of the Bhagawata on the altar by Madan Chandra Das. A speech competition will be inaugurated by Uddhab Chandra Das, Superintendent of Taxes, Dhemaji, at 10 am on that day.
Sarais will be offered at the Barpeta Satra in a procession comprising gayan-bayan at 4 pm on October 2. A Sankari dance competition will be held that evening, which will be inaugurated by Hemen Burhabhakat.
A plantation programme will be conducted at the Madhya Metuakuchi Garakhiya Namghar at 8 am on October 3, which will be inaugurated by Jagannath Deva Adhikari, Deka Satradhikar of Sundaridia Satra. Baap-bandhabs and aai-matris from the Barpeta Satra will be welcomed to the venue along with the Bhagawat.
The first religious meet, to be chaired by Kulen Kalita, publicity secretary of the Barpeta district committee of the Srimanta Sankardev Sangha, will be inaugurated by Gunindra Nath Das at 4:30 pm on that day. Barpeta Deputy Commissioner Dr Siddharth Singh will be the chief guest of the meeting. Harprasad Hazarika, ex-secretary general of the Srimanta Sankardev Sangha, and Chandan Konwar will also address the meeting.
A competition on Borgeet is scheduled to be held at 10 am on October 4. The second religious meeting will be held at 4:30 pm on that day. Dalim Chandra Pathak, president of Sankardev Sachetan Mancha, will inaugurate the meet. Hanta Barman, senior advocate of the Gauhati High Court, will preside over it. Himangshu Shekhar Das, Additional Chief Secretary of the State, will be the chief guest. A child speaker from Morigaon, Hardas Deuraja and the secretary of the Sankardev Sachetan Mancha, Assam, Prabhat Chandra Das will address the meet as appointed speakers. A prize distribution ceremony will follow the meet.
The programmes will end with a naam prasanga on the model of pal naam at 9:30 am on October 5. The organisers have requested the people to cooperate in the programme and light earthen lamps in the evening on October 3.
