SUALKUCHI, Aug 28: The century-old Mahapurushiya Dharmalochani Sabha at Sri Sri Sankardeva Mandir in Sualkuchi is preparing to celebrate the 578th birth anniversary of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva with a four-day programme from September 20 to 23.
Sabha president Utpal Kumar Das and secretary Mridul Baishya announced the programme at a press conference, with religious ceremonies, processions, cultural performances, devotional music and academic discussions planned during the celebrations.
The programme will begin on September 20 with Usha Kirtan, a rally by student volunteers, Bhaona performances, a Bhagawat procession and Deep Malika. The evening will feature the Mukha Bhaona Matsya Avatar by Panchajanya Silpi Samaj from Dipalu Satra Kalabari, Biswanath Chariali.
On September 21, Guru Dashami will be observed with the hoisting of the religious flag, a Harinam procession, Hari-Naam Kirtan, scripture reading and the staging of the Ankiya Naat Kansa Badh. A Beer Naam performance will also be held at the Sankardeva Mandir.
The 103rd annual session of the Mahapurushiya Dharmalochani Sabha will be held on September 22. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is scheduled to attend as the chief guest, while Assam State Film (Finance & Development) Corporation chairman Dr Alekhya Baruah will participate as the appointed speaker and Hajo-Sualkuchi MLA Prakash Chandra Das as the distinguished guest. A devotional music recital by Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Hirak Jyoti Sharma will also be held.
The concluding day on September 23 will feature a seminar on “Reflections of Humanity in the Neo-Vaishnavism of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva”, with Hrishikesh Goswami, secretary of the Assam Children’s Literature Trust, as the key speaker. The celebrations will conclude with the lowering of the religious flag in the evening.
