Temples, Festivals and Assamese Culture

Whenever I imagine Assam, I envision rolling hills set amongst acres of manicured tea plantations. It is a romantic view of India, with old English gentlemen all suited up, sipping tea on the verandas of their bungalows.

Photo Credit: Kunal Dalui / Wikimedia

I know little about the tribal culture of this region of India, and was curious to hear about the Heleibambe festival that is celebrated by the Zemi Village. The festival actually comprises a series of rituals to please the crop deity Suhprai so that they have a bountiful season. Just before the jhum cultivation in April, the locals perform ceremonies with the priest incorporating the local harvests and animals. After a grand feast, the villagers sing and dance all night. The next day, the town is taken over by children who sing in the streets stopping at every house in the village along the way.

Temple Run  

Photo Credit: Giridhar Appaji Nag / WikimediaAs a composite of many different tribes, Assamese culture is very rich and varied. Personally, I have always found temples and monuments to be the best way to explore a culture as it gives me a real feel of what a society values.  

The most famous temple in Assam is the Kamakhya Temple, located on top of the Nilachal Hills overlooking the sacred river Brahmaputra. It’s near the capital city Guwahati and is a popular place for pilgrims.

Another popular temple in Guwahati is the Nabagraha Temple or the temple of nine planets. It is believed to have been a centre for astronomy, astrology and the movement of the planets in ancient times.  

Education and the Arts

A unique feature of Assamese culture is the institution of Satra. Satras are monasteries and educational centres for Vaishnavism, which is an integral part of life in Assam. The first Satra was founded in the 15^th century and there are now 65 of them across the state. 

Some of the main Satras include Dakhinpat Satra, which is inundated with devotees during the festival of Rasotsava every year. Auniati Satra is famous for the Apsara dance, along with the historical utensils, jewelry and handicrafts that it maintains.

The Bengenaati Satra is a centre for performing arts in India, and hosts a wide range of antiques that are considered to be of great significance in the region. Another, the Shamaguri Satra houses famous mask crafts. 

These Satras alone are worth the visit to Assam for the that they provide sneak peek into Assamese culture.  

Want to explore more? MakeMyTrip offers convenient flights and trains to Assam.