SUALKUCHI, Sept 21: Sualkuchi observed the 578th birth anniversary of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev with devotional programmes held across the textile town on Sunday.
The celebrations began at 6 am with a Hari Naam Kirtan performed by women at Sri Sri Sankardev Temple and Sri Sri Sankardev Dham. More than 3,000 women, adolescent girls and young women, dressed in traditional Assamese attire, participated in the devotional programme.
At 8.30 am, Utpal Kumar Das hoisted the religious flag at Sankardev Temple, while senior citizen Shankheshwar Deka unfurled the flag at Sankardev Dham. Both speakers highlighted Sankardev’s contributions to Assamese society and urged the younger generation to follow his ideals.
A Nagar Naam Kirtan procession began at 9.30 am and passed through the roads and lanes of Sualkuchi. Young men and boys dressed in traditional attire participated in the procession, reciting verses and chants from the Kirtan Ghosha.
Naam Prasanga was subsequently held at both venues, followed by the distribution of Nirmali and Prasad among devotees.
In the evening, Beer Naam was performed at Sankardev Temple, followed by a performance of the Ankiya Naat Kansa Badh by the Srimanta Sankardev Krishti Bikash Kendra. A Nagara Naam performance was also organised at Sankardev Dham later in the night.
The four-day programme commemorating the birth anniversary will conclude on September 23.
