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Join us as we pay tribute to a revered spiritual leader on the Janmostav of Srimanta Sankardev on October 5! Srimanta Sankardev was a 15th-16th century scholar, poet, playwright, social and religious reformer who played a crucial role in shaping Assamese culture. His philosophical teachings are celebrated each year on this day, creating an ambiance of spirituality and tradition. As we dive into the grandeur of this festival, we also celebrate his invaluable contribution to literature and arts. It’s a day of learning, reflection, and rejoicing in the profound impact Sankardev has had on millions of lives, and we couldn't be more excited about it!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1449</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of Sankardev</div><div class='timeline-text'>Srimanta Sankardev was born in Alipukhuri, a village in present-day Nagaon district of Assam, heralding the arrival of a transformative spiritual figure.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1479</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Start of Spiritual Journey</div><div class='timeline-text'>After the demise of his parents, Sankardev embarked on a 12-year pilgrimage across India, broadening his philosophical and spiritual understanding.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1490s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Eka Sarana Dharma</div><div class='timeline-text'>Sankardev founded the Eka Sarana Dharma, a monotheistic religious practice focusing on one supreme god, Lord Krishna.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1500s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cultural Contributions</div><div class='timeline-text'>Sankardev made significant contributions to literature, music, dance, and drama, enriching the Assamese culture with his works.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1568</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Passing of Sankardev</div><div class='timeline-text'>Sankardev passed away in Bheladonga, leaving behind a lasting legacy of spiritual teachings and cultural works.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1986</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Government of India officially acknowledged October 5 as Srimanta Sankardev's birth anniversary, marking it as a national celebration.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Read his literary works</h3><p class='facts-text'>Srimanta Sankardev was a great poet and playwright. His works are full of insights on life and spirituality. To celebrate his Janmostav, imbibe his philosophies and teachings by reading his written works.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Visit a Naamghar</h3><p class='facts-text'>Naamghars are prayer halls established by Sankardev where devotees gather to chant the name and virtues of God. Visiting one can be a way to connect with Sankardev's teachings and experience the community that follows them.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a discussion circle</h3><p class='facts-text'>Invite your friends or family for a discussion on Sankardev's teachings. This can be a great opportunity to learn, reflect, and deepen your understanding of his philosophies and perspectives on life.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Watch a Bhaona performance</h3><p class='facts-text'>Bhaona is a traditional form of theatre introduced by Sankardev. These performances are a blend of music, dance, and drama and usually depict stories from the Indian epics. Watching a Bhaona is a great way to dive into the culture and spirituality that Sankardev propagated.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Donate to cultural institutions</h3><p class='facts-text'>Make a donation to institutions, libraries, or schools that protect and promote Assamese culture. This can be a wonderful gesture to help preserve the heritage and teachings that Srimanta Sankardev has engrained in Assamese society.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a celebration of culture and heritage</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Celebrating the Janmostav of Srimanta Sankardev helps us to embrace and understand the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Assam. It provides an opportunity to connect with history, explore literature, and appreciate the traditional art forms introduced by Sankardev.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It gives us insights on life and spirituality</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Sankardev's philosophies give us deep insights into life and spirituality. His teachings encourage us to develop a holistic understanding of life and guide us towards spiritual growth. The Janmostav provides an opportunity to delve deeper into these teachings and internalize them.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a great way to connect with the community</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The Janmostav of Srimanta Sankardev celebrates not just an individual, but an entire community that follows his teachings. The festival brings together people from different walks of life, allows them to share experiences and learnings, and helps foster a sense of community and belonging.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Srimanta Sankardev was an accomplished painter</h3><p class='facts-content'>Apart from his contributions to literature and music, Sankardev's artistic abilities were well-rounded and included painting. Some of his artifacts still adorn the monasteries he established, showcasing his aptitude for the visual arts.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Sankardev introduced the first drama in Assamese culture</h3><p class='facts-content'>Known as Ankia Nat (One-Act Play), Sankardev composed dramatic performances which combined music, dance, and dialogues. This was the first form of drama in Assamese culture and a monumental step in its developmental history.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Sankardev's text "Kirtan Ghosha" is a critical religious scripture</h3><p class='facts-content'>"Kirtan Ghosha", written by Sankardev, consists of narrative verses about the life of Lord Krishna. The text holds a significant place in Assamese literature and is revered as a fundamental part of religious studies in Assam.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>His teachings strongly espoused social equality</h3><p class='facts-content'>The religious reform introduced by Sankardev, Eka Sarana Dharma, promoted an egalitarian society. He disregarded caste distinctions and propagated equal respect for all individuals irrespective of their social class.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>He established over 600 centers of learning</h3><p class='facts-content'>Sankardev established over six hundred "Satras" or monastic centers, which served as important venues for education and dissemination of his philosophical teachings. These Satras played a crucial role in shaping the socio-cultural fabric of Assam.</p></div></div>
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