With an aim to protect Assam’s Batadrava in Nagaon district, the Himanta Biswa Sarma
led government is working on a law to create an indigenous-only zone around the
holy spot.
Batadrava, which is in Nagaon district, is about 130 km east of
Guwahati and is the revered birthplace of 15th-16th century saint-reformer Srimanta
Sankaradeva, who propounded neo-Vaishnavism.
“We shall soon come up with a law to throw a protective ring of 8
km radius around Batadrava Than (holy spot alongside a satra or monastery). The
land within this zone will be conserved for khilonjia (indigenous people)
only,” stated Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at an event marking the
575th birth anniversary of the saint-reformer on Sunday.
The CM officially launched Batadrava Than beautification and upgradation project and said the beautification of will attract more devotees from far and wide and help the region develop into a world-class tourist and cultural centre.
The project launched in the 2022 at a cost of Rs 22 crore will comprise the development of auditorium, Sattriya Sara, office complex to Damodar Ata Tourist Guest House.
Batadrava is to the followers of neo-Vaishnavism what Vatican City
is to the Roman Catholics. Freeing land belonging to this monastery and 912
others from alleged encroachment by migrant Muslims is a BJP poll promise.
“We have also decided to develop and beautify a total of 21 places
where Srimanta Sankaradeva stayed even for a night during his spiritual
journey. A modern namghar (prayer hall) will be built in these places and a
15-day circuit will touch these 21 places,” said CM Himanta.
On December 25, 2020, Home Minister Amit Shah, laid the foundation
stone of a ₹22 crore project to develop and beautify Batadrava. The project
entails a park, an auditorium, and a tourist guesthouse.
NE Watch Desk
