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The sacred complex of Billeswar Devalaya (study)

by Rajesh Kakati | 2019 | 72,486 words

This essay studies the sacred complex of Billeswar Devalaya by exploring the historical, cultural, and religious significance of this ancient shrine in Assam (northeastern India). It emphasizes how this temple, also known as Billbeshwar Devaloy, functions as a focal point of faith and tradition for the surrounding communities. The research further ...

Part 5 - Routine occasions of the Devalaya

Besides the daily worships and other rituals, various occasions are arranged in various months under the aegis of Devalaya authority.

Bohag:

The first month of Assamese year when the summer starts just after the spring season. Trees and creepers bear new leaves, flowers and fruits grow to ripe. The natural scenery becomes scenic and beautiful. During this time, Bhatheli is observed. Before narrating the uniqueness of Bhathei celebrated at Billeswar Devalaya, a general account of its popularity and span of celebration is given here. Basically in lower Assam, among all folk festivals, Bhatheli takes a distinguishing place in the domain of festivity. In between the months of Chat and Bohag, along with the Bohag bihu-Assamese racial and premier folk festival, Bhatheli festivals are held in different parts of Lowe Assam except than Barpeta. It takes various names in various localities. These names are: Suyeri, Bishua, Deul etc. The festival of Bhatheli welcomes free assemblage of the people from all strata of lives. It becomes the centre of merry-making amongst the villagers with an egalitarian spirit. In almost all villages arrange this festival in different dates during the same season in accordance with the villagers� convenience.

Bhatheli:

Bhatheli or Chari or Suanri or Pawra festival current in the old districts of Kamrup and Goalpara is primarily a magical rite associated with fertility cult. The BoroKasharis also observe this festival. According to Dr. Banikanta Kakati, the term Bhatheli has come from the Sanskrit formation: nabhasthali>bhasthali>bhatheli, because the bamboo flag staffs implanted on the occasion are supposed to reached aerial region. Mode of Bhatheli Celebration at Billeswar Devalaya: Bhatheli is a ritualistic Bamboo Puja. A long, straight and tight bamboo is wrapped with cloths of various colors. At the top of the bamboo a ‘Choyar� is tied. In between of the bamboo ‘Ghagra of Cloth� are tied with which are called �Paara�. Playing various folk musical instruments e.g. Dhol, Khol, Taal etc. it is kept with a big tree. Nearby the tree a ‘Koldanar Math� is built and its inside ‘Sarai with Dhup-Dhuna� is placed and worshipped by bowing down together. First Bhatheli is celebrated on the seventh day of Bohag Bihu. In earlier times it was observed outside the campus of Devalaya sheltering round a ‘Hidol Gash� nearby the Belsor Police Station. But in present times, it is performed with a tree inside the campus for twenty days due to cutting of the tree while the road was broadened by the Public Works Department (PWD) some years ago. There is folk belief related with Bhatheli that the bottom earth of the Paara are thrown inside the nests of the poultry and pigeons for rescuing them from any kind of ill events. The belief is still in existence among the mass people of the locality.

Jeth Maah:

By this month, people throng for Naam-prasanga every Monday. This Naam-Prasanga is known as Jethua Naam. Hundreds of people came to Devalaya to see the Naam-Prasanga. Local troupes of Nagara Naam, Aiyati Naam came voluntarily for the purposes from the adjoining villages. This tradition is being weakened with the passage of time in recent years due to some factors. As a matter of fact, Jethua Naam is arranged now-a-days village wise. So its flow is realized to be low than the previous years. Moreover the taste of entertainment of the people is being shifted to the technology supported entertainments.

The last four days of Jeth Maah and the first three days of the Aahar Maah is known as Saath. On the first day of Saath, some people sink in the Dewan Pukhuri to bring earth upon a Pira. Upon this layer of earth kept upon the Pira, various seeds of crops e.g. rice, mustard, sesame, wheat, are sown. On the last day of Saath the Pira is braught out and kept upon an altar. The seeds are examined to decide that which seed has grown well. It is believed that which seed has a better growth that would be harvested well in that year. The Pira kept upon the altar is worshipped by the priest keeping various seasonal fruits. At the end of the worship, tale of Barat is told and Naam-Prasanga is performed by old people of the locality. Then after the Pira has been drown away with the fruits. Some people jumps into the pond to catch the thrown away fruits. There is a folk belief that if any issueless woman takes these fruits with reverence, they get offsprings.

Aahar Maah:

From the seventh day of the month, Ambubashi starts. As the Goddess Earth has to pass the menstruation period, worships for deities other than Shiva are forbidden during these days. The cooked Bhogs are forbidden. Instead of cooked bhog, the tradition of Kecha Bhog is in practice till date. On the day of Nibriti, the bhog is mixed with fish.

Bhada Maah:

This is the month Krishna’s birth. So the Krishnastami is celebrated by Naam Prasanga.

Ahin Maah:

In this month, from Sukla Pratipad to Sukla Dashami Tithi, Nabarup of Sri Sri Durga Devi is worshipped. During the day of Pratipad, inside the Manikut, the statue of Durga Devi is placed. Till the day of Sasthi day time puja, inside the manikut, Bilvabodhan Adhibash is performed. During this period, the six forms of Durga DeviSailaputra, Brahmacharini, Chandra Ghanta, Kusmanda, Chandramata and Katyayini are worshipped. When the peace of earth was distorted severely due to the atrocities of Danaba and Asura; then Brahma, Bishnu, Maheswara along with other deities/devtas sacrificing their blood and presenting lots of weapons, they created Goddess Durga to kill the demon-Mahishasura. At the end of the worshippings on Saptami, Asthami and Nabami accordingly, on the day of Dashami, She killed Mahishasura and takes farewell. The Durga Puja is performed with so many sacrifices of animals and plants. The worship of Durga Devi snatches away the sorrows, devastation, problems from human kind. It is believed that the Durga Puja leads mankind to the way of Mokhya.

Just after the Durga Puja, on the day of Purnima, Lakhmi Puja is arranged which comes under the month of Ahin and Kati interchangeably in alternate year. Before starting the Lakhmi Puja, Puja for Alakhsmi is offered for propitiating the urge of destructing the properties of people of the deity-Alakhyi. A Raajhaah is sacrificed in front of the deity for her satisfaction which is brought from outside of the campus of the Devalaya by purchasing done by Devalaya Committee. It is a unique tradition maintained at Billeswar Devalaya unlike others.

Kati Maah:

The subsequent Purnima of Lahkmi Purnima (sometimes in Aghon Maah) since the eleventh day of Sukla Pakhya, an admixture of Til and Ghee are offered for certain number of Ahuti for five days. During the day of Purnahuti, devotees are given from the soot of Hom and Shanti.

Aghon maah:

During this month Nabanna is offered. New rice, maah, mug, til etc. are mixed with milk, sugar, banana to prepare ‘kecha bhog� and offered at fire which is a tradition for centuries.

In this month Raas festival is also held at the campus of the Devalaya. In present times, Raas festival is one of the remarkable festivals in Assam which is held during the Purnima of Kati-Aghon Maah in the full bright moonlit nights. This festival is based on the life of Sri Krishna-the Absolute Person of Vaishnavite Cult of Hindu Culture in India. The day of Purnima of Kati-Aghon is considered to be sacred in Hindu culture. In the Vaishnav classics-Bishnu Puran, Haribangsha, Bhagawat Puran etc. description of Rashleela of Sri Krishna with the Gopinis in Brindaban during Sarat Kaal. On the basis of this event, the devotees of Vaishnavite cult started to celebrate the Rash Leela in India.

Puh and Maagh Maah:

Though there is no any specific occasion to be celebrated during these two months, a large number of pilgrims and devotees come to the Devalaya as both the months are regarded to be religious months. On the day of Magh Bihu Uruka, there is a tradition of mixing fish with bhog.

Phagun Maah:

On the fourteenth day of Krishna Pakhya Shivratri is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. On this day, a large number of devotees come since morning to night without any break.

Chait Maah:

On the day of Purnima, Doul Utsav is arranged. On the day of Adhibash of Doul (Banhi Dah or Mesh Dah), a cottage is made out of Banana leaves and dry beetlenut leaves. A male got is kept inside the cottage and he is worshipped. After completion of the worship, the cottage is set fire. After that the local youths bring out the goat and arrange feast with the meat of the goat.

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