HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, Oct 6: Makumkilla in Margherita echoed with the chants of Hari Naam during a four-day spiritual and cultural celebration organised by the joint forum of 133 Namghars under the Margherita Co-District Namghar Forum. The event, which began on October 2, culminated on Sunday with the birth anniversary of the revered saint, Srimanta Sankardev.
On the inaugural day, each of the 133 Namghars individually observed the saint’s birth anniversary with Usha Kirton, Bhagawat Bhraman, Namaprasanga, and other devotional activities.
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On October 3, the day began with Usha Kirton and morning Prasanga, followed by the hoisting of 133 flags. The main flag was hoisted by Purnananda Dehingia, and a memorial tarpan was performed by Suman Kalen. A tribute ceremony in memory of Assam’s beloved singer Zubeen Garg was inaugurated by Satra Adhikar Premnarayan Goswami. Plantation of saplings was carried out by Bidya Kachari and Jiban Saikia.
A massive Bhagawat Bhraman procession covering nearly 7 kilometers was taken out with the participation of thousands. The procession, inaugurated by Disen Tipomia, representative of Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma, returned to the Namghar after almost four hours.
Namaprasanga followed with Ranjit Bora as Namacharya. At 2 PM, a lecture session on “Relevance of Great Saint Srimanta Sankardev’s Ideals in Modern Society” was conducted by Dr Ranajit Dutta, with Dr Romen Hazarika delivering a detailed analysis.
The day also featured cultural competitions including Krishna Nritya, Chalinnritya, Borgeet, Bhavana, Bachan, and Khulbadan.
On October 4, Namaprasanga was led by Bidya Kachari. A Diha Naam competition was organised in the afternoon, where over 60 teams participated. In the teenager group, Srihari Jungluchuk Primary School secured first place, followed by Jagun Moina Parijat. In the youth women category, Ujjayini Diha Naam team came first, and Mrignoyana team second. In both the men’s and women’s categories, Shankhadhwani Diha Naam team won first place, Panchapandav team came second, and Parijat team secured third.
The final day, Sunday, featured Namaprasanga with Putul Bora as Namacharya. An Aai Matri Sanmilan was held under the guidance of renowned litterateur Chayarani Saikia, with Munmi Gogoi, President of Margherita Anchalik Panchayat, and Nibha Jyoti Phukan, Member of Margherita Zilla Parishad, as resource persons. Women participants performed Diha Naam, Biya Naam, and other traditional rituals in tribute to Zubeen Garg.
An open session and felicitation ceremony followed under the chairmanship of Purnananda Dehingia. Rana Jyoti Neog, General Secretary of the Margherita Co-District Joint Forum of Namghars, delivered an inspirational keynote address.
During the open session, the souvenir volume Kalpataru, edited by Nitul Gogoi, was unveiled by Margherita Circle Officer Gyanjyoti Dutta. Distinguished guests highlighted the life and contributions of local elders in their speeches.
Advisors of the Margherita Co-District Namghar Joint Forum—Numal Gogoi, Surya Gogoi, Numali Gogoi, and Deepak Dutta were felicitated. The session saw the presence of several dignitaries including Chief Advisor Nareshwar Hazarika, Vice President Anil Chutia, Tarun Gogoi, Umesh Borah, and Lakhkyadhar Sonowal.
Special recognition was extended to Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma for his key role in the construction of the Namghar and support for the event.
The event concluded on a spiritual and cultural note with a Bhaona performance by Bayan cum journalist Dipankar Sharma and his team.
