Uploads from anitabora, tagged assam, with geodata

what lies within

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:07:35 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

the living quarters of the satra. it's all dark and mysterious and there is little visible from the outside!

majuli, assam

hard at work

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:59:28 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

a gentleman weaving bamboo strips into a fence outside the garamur xatra.

majuli, assam, march 2007

washed and cleaned

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:07:34 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

the corridors of the satra getting cleaned.

majuli, assam

footprints

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:07:35 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

leaving our mark.

majuli, assam

curious

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:07:34 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

not sure what the boat is doing inside the satra. one young man perches himself on it while the others look on curiously as i wander inside the corridor.

majuli, assam

waiting

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:40:33 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

an elderly gentlman looking at us from outside the main prayer hall of the satra.

majuli, assam

veggies on reflection

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:40:33 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

colourful veggies reflected on the mirror inside the vehicle.

majuli, assam

young boy

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:40:33 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

this little boy was really curious about us and we visited his house, where he posed for pictures!

majuli, assam

Light me up

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:40:32 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

A huge lamp lying in the corner of the satra premises. It will probably look really beautiful when it's all lit up!

majuli, assam

entrance

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:40:32 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

one of the satras we visited, the east kamalabari satra.

majuli, assam

holy books

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:40:32 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

a bright orange cloth covers the books.

majuli, assam

morning prayers

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:59:28 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

priests (monks) gather in the morning for a round of "naam""- hymns in praise of the lord.

the vaishnav stream of hinduism is propagated through the xatras. there are about 25 existing ones today in this island.

majuli, assam, march 2007

statue

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:49:17 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

made of papier mache, this huge statue is used for the 'bhawna' (play acts) held during major festivals.

inside the garamur xatra, majuli, assam, march 2007

on the walls

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:49:17 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

colourful paintings on the xatra walls.

inside the garamur xatra, majuli, assam, march 2007

with folded hands

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:34:44 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

a huge statue inside the premises of the garamur xatra.

majuli, assam, march 2007

inner sanctum

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:15:22 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

the priest gets ready for the early morning prayers.

garamur xatra, majuli, assam, march 2007

scriptures

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:55:42 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

majuli is the centre of vaishnav culture, propogated through the xatras. there are about 25 existing xatras in majuli today. we visited about 4 xatras and stayed in one.

assam, march 2007

prayers

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:55:42 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

A priest (monk) getting ready for his early morning prayers.

xatra in majuli, assam. march 2007

he sat alone....

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:55:42 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

in prayer and solitude.

early morning at a xatra, majuli, assam. march 2007

early morning at a xatra

nobody@flickr.com (anitabora) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:55:42 -0700

anitabora posted a photo:

early morning. they sit around the large hall and read out prayers and hymns (or 'naam' as they're called). this is the main form of worship for this stream of hinduism.

majuli is the centre of vaishnav culture that was first propagated by sankardev. it was simpler and more accessible than the ritualistic hinduism of the time. his approach was rooted in faith and prayer, and stressed on the cultural aspects of life and living. there was no idol worship or sacrifices - instead, he developed the dance-drama forms, theatrical depictions of the triumph of good over evil which he himself had written.

sankardeva established xatras or monasteries on majuli, to nurture and propagate his philosophy and practice of life. in its heyday, there were sixty-five satras, each with lakhs of bhakats or disciples and several thousand followers all over the state.

assam, march 2007