Batadrawa Than, also known as Bordowa Than, is the birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev (1449-1568), the great Vaishnavite saint of Assam. This sacred site, founded by Sankardeva in 1494 CE, holds immense importance for the Vaishnav followers of Assam.
Mahapurush Sankardev was a visionary who played a crucial
role in the religious and cultural revival of Assam in the fifteenth century.
He established the first Kirtan Ghar at Bordowa to practice and preach the
neo-Vaishnavite faith, propagating the Ek Saran Nam Dharma. This doctrine
emphasizes devotion to a single deity, Vishnu or Krishna, and rejects caste
distinctions and elaborate rituals.
A unique feature of the Thans is the Namghar, a community
prayer hall, and the Monikut, a shrine within the Namghar. These were
innovative designs introduced by Sankardeva and have since become central to
Assamese village life, serving as places of worship and community gathering.
Devotees of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva and followers of
Vaishnavite philosophy visit Bordowa daily in large numbers, considering it a
pilgrimage to “Dwitiya Vaikuntha,” or the second heaven on earth. The site also
features the Akashiganga pond, believed to have divine origins, and the
Santijan pond, both of which attract numerous visitors.
One of the major annual attractions at Batadrawa Than is the
"Doul Mohotsava" (Holi) festival. This grand celebration draws over a
hundred thousand devotees from Assam and the wider Northeastern region of
India, turning the area into a vibrant hub of spiritual and cultural activity.
Location: Batadrawa Than is located about 18 km northwest of Nagaon Town in Assam.