Sattras of Assam
In poll-bound Assam, in campaigns of political parties one place figures prominently-the Bartadrava Than/Sattra (monastery) in Nagaon, which is the birthplace of renowned Vaishnavite saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva.
Sattras
- Sattras are monastic institutions created as part of the 16th century Neo-Vaishnavite reformist movement started by Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449-1568).
- As the saint travelled across Assam, spreading his teachings and propagating an egalitarian society, these Sattras/Thans were established as centres of religious, social and cultural reforms in the 16th century.
- Today, Sattras are spread across the state, promulgating Sankaradeva’s unique “worship through art” approach with music (borgeet), dance (Sattriya) and theatre (bhauna).
- Each Sattra ....