Borbheti Than

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  Dr. L. K. Hazarika (guest)

  In the year 1768, the ninth Mayamora Vaishnavite Guru and the Satradhikar of erstwhile Sutiapata Satra, Sri Sri Astabhuj Dev, had decided to shift the monastery from Sutiapata to a place less threatened by the Brahmaputra to a place presently known as Borbheti and presently located in the heart of Malow Pathar. As per wish of the Guru, a water body was selected, which was the deepest in that locality i.e. 36 feet deep in the summer. Accordingly, eight lakh disciples of Mayamora Vaishnavite sect of Assam were invited to construct a platform/raised bed of earth/plinth for a namghar (prayer home/cultural center) in that 36 feet deep water body in the autumn season of 1768. After ceremonial prayer, Sri Sri Astabhuj Dev had deposited a piece of earth by chanting Ram, which was followed by his 8 lakh followers. It was allowed to deposit only one piece of earth by each individual by chanting Ram and the piece was to be carried in his turban (Paguri). Thus a great raised earthen bed of 360X120 square feet in area and of 90 feet height was created within six months. This was known as the Borbheti, Maha Bheti as well as Ratna Giriri. A Namghar or Kritan Ghar was built there and for seven days devotees performed nam kritan and the last night was celebrated by playing a drama (bhaona), Kansha Badh. This the history of Borbheti Than. Today borbheti is located under Sarucharai Mouza of Jorhat district (mydi patta no.24, 2/183 and dag no.2/183) occupying an area of 6 bigha 3 katha 3 locha. It is presently looked after by a strong committee under the name of Borbheti Sangrayshan and Unnayan Samiti registered under Government of Assam (Regd. No. R/S/S/3062/2008/7978). The commitee has constructed a permanent Namghar, a Satraghar, Office-cum-Cultural Centre, boundary wall, bath room complex, water supply unit,kitchen sheds, etc. Three gates were donated and also a Bat chora by persons having faith in Borbheti. A small guest house is under construction with the funding from the local MLA's development fund. The Archeology Department, Govt of Assam is also constructing a boulder wall around the Borbheti so as to prevent erosion; /3 is almost completed. There are important monuments/water bodies having similar history connected with construction of Borbheti are the Majiabheti (kitchen and dining hall for the Guru, his relatives and bhakats having an area of 9 bigha 3 katha and 9 locha) and two water bodies located north-west side of the Borbheti, which were created during dug by 8 lakh bhakats to collect earthen pieces to build that historical monument. For conservation and development of these historical places are the priorities of the committee, but the commitee becomes helpless because of non cooperation from a section of people as well as paucity of fund. Today borbheti represent as a symbol of unity, integrity and universal brotherhood. It is a holy place to be visited by every human being to learn lessons of leadership and peaceful co-existence.

  13 years ago | reply | hide comment