Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on March 3 announced that all visitors above the age of 12 will be required to wear traditional attire when entering Batadrava Than in Nagaon district, a historic site linked to the 15th-century Vaishnavite saint and reformer Srimanta Sankardeva.
Speaking to a gathering, Sarma described Batadrava Than as an Abirbhav Kshetra, the sacred birthplace marking the emergence of Srimanta Sankardeva, and emphasised the importance of preserving its cultural and spiritual sanctity. He noted that visitors currently enter the premises in varied clothing, which he said could compromise the holy character of the Satra.
“People want us to safeguard the culture and sanctity of our Satras. We have decided that visitors above 12 years of age will have to wear traditional dress. The exemption will apply to children below 12,” Sarma stated, highlighting the religious significance of the site and its Bhagwat-related iconography.
The Chief Minister added that this directive is part of broader efforts to uphold the traditions of the Vaishnavite institution established by Srimanta Sankardeva. Batadrava Than, a major religious and cultural centre in Assam, draws devotees from across the State and beyond throughout the year, and the measure aims to ensure that the heritage and customs of the Satra are respected and preserved for future generations.
