HT Correspondent
JORHAT, Nov 17: The lai khuta of the pandal, where the 94th Annual Conference of Srimanta Shankardev Sangha will be held at Eraltoli Pathar, Mohbandha here from February 6 to 9, 2025, was erected on Sunday.
The padadhikar of the Sangha, Bhabendra Nath Deka, ceremoniously initiated the process to lay the pillar in the presence of thousands of devotees, reception committee members, and members of the Jorhat district committee of the organisation amid the playing of khol, taal, and dhol, along with the chanting of religious hymns (naam prasanga).
The venue of the conference has been named Vaishnav Pandit Sonaram Chutia Samanwaya Kshetra. Sonaram Chutia was a Vaishnavite scholar, social reformer, and freedom fighter.
Addressing the gathering, the padadhikar, Bhabendra Nath Deka, sought the cooperation of all sections of people to hold the conference successfully.
He also urged the people to follow the ideals and teachings of Mahapurush Srimanta Shankardev and to promote religious harmony and brotherhood.
The pandal will be constructed on 1,200 bighas of land, and about 20 lakh devotees are expected to attend.
According to reception committee sources, 200 camps will be installed to accommodate the devotees, over 200 cooking ovens will be set up, and arrangements will be made to provide food for 15,000 people at once. More than 10,000 volunteers will be engaged, and 35 sub-committees have been formed for the smooth conduct of the conference. The budget is fixed at Rs 3.50 crore.
Cabinet ministers Ajanta Neog and Atul Bora, along with Kaziranga MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Jorhat DC Jay Shivani, and SP S Mishra, respectively, attended the lai khuta erection ceremony.
A reception committee member said that work will start in full swing for the construction of the pandal, stalls, camps, and other facilities.
The venue is located beside NH 715, formerly NH 37, on the western outskirts of Jorhat.