HT Correspondent
JORHAT, Nov 24: Thousands of people belonging to the Moamoria community and other communities living in the state arrived at Barbheti at Malowpathar, West Jorhat, on the banks of the Bhogdoi river on Sunday morning to participate in the historic 257th Na-lagawa festival, which is the harvest festival of the Moamoria community.
In this connection, a souvenir brought out by the organising committee and edited by Dr Suryendra Nath Baruah, entitled ‘Ashtabhuj’, was released on the occasion by satradhikar of Auniati Satra, Dr Pitambar Deva Goswami, at the venue.
Related Posts:
After the cleaning of the environment on Saturday evening, the dharmadhwaj was hoisted by satradhikar Vasudevananda Goswami. The flag of the Barbheti Conservation and Development Committee was hoisted by the president of the committee, Purnakanta Bora. The ceremony was attended by satradhikar Paramananda Devagoswami as the chief guest.
A smriti tarpan ceremony and shraddhanjali were conducted in memory of satradhikar Ashtabhujdev Guru, who initiated the construction of Barbheti, and the 890,000 members of the Moamoria community who helped him in the construction of Barbheti. This was done by lighting incense sticks and earthen lamps by Bhavananda Goswami, Sachidananda Goswami, Arun Charanananda Goswami, Ramananda Devogoswami, Ghanshyam Devogoswami, and Dr Pradeep Goswami.
Dr Bipin Khangia and more than 30 dignitaries of Jorhat district planted a tree each at the premises of the Barbheti Cultural Project. The newly constructed guest house was inaugurated by additional district commissioner Mogen Narah at a cost of Rs 10 lakh under the Assam Darshan Scheme.
The committee also presented phulam gamosas, cheleng sadors, and certificates of appreciation to senior citizens Bhogai Barua of Barahom village, Jajneswar Barua of Melengial village, and Jiveshwar Barua of Saruhuj village on behalf of the committee.
After the lighting of 257 lanterns, satradhikar Mukundananda Chandra Goswami, Assam Satra Mahasabha, Gopaldev Samaj, satradhikars of Mayamara Satra, gaonburah, barburah, Vaishnava devotees, and the Barbheti Conservation and Development Committee participated in the ceremony.
The office bearers and members of the festival celebration committee lit lanterns around the Barbheti and illuminated the surroundings of the Barbheti with earthen lanterns. The committee members were publicly introduced and awarded certificates on behalf of the committee. After the recitation of the Bhagavad Gita, the Na-lagawa festival began.
After the harvest of the golden paddy, sweets mixed with jaggery and milk were made from freshly harvested rice and offered at the Barbheti site. According to local people, there is a belief that offering salt at the Than leads to the fulfillment of one’s wishes. Devotees brought salt in large quantities and offered it at the site.
The Na-lagawa festival is celebrated on the second Sunday of the Assamese month of Aghun every year, as it has been for more than two centuries since the festival was first held by the Moamoria people. In present times, people from other tribes and communities also attend the festival.
