OBSERVANCE OF MAHAPURUSH SRI SRI MADHAV DEV TITHI

REPORT ON

“MADHABDEV TITHI 2022”

Celebration of Madhabdev Tithi on May 17, 2022

Theme: Remembering the great works of the saint-reformer Sri Sri Madhabdeva.

Madhabdev (1489–1596), also known as Mahapurush, is one of the most popular Vaishnava Saints in Assam. Madhabdev was an important preceptor of the Ekasaran naam  Dharma, famous for his loyalty to his guru, Sri Sri Srimanta Sankardev as well as his artistic brilliance.

Initially a Sakta worshipper, he was converted to Ekasara Dharma by Sri Sri Sankardev and became his most prominent disciple. He became the religious as well as the artistic successor of Sri Sri Sankardev after the latter’s death in 1568. Srimanta Sankardev preferred Madhabdev over his two sons to carry the Vaishnavite movement forward, and Madhabdev repaid this faith in his faith by carrying forward his guru's legacy and established several satras (monasteries).

He is known particularly for his book of hymns, the Naam Ghosha, as well as a large selection of Borgeets. The Borgeet written by both Sankardev and Madhabdev is known as the soul song of Assam. The Ankia Nat and Jumura are some of the first Indian cultural dramas, written before Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.

The Saint passed in 1596. 

In 1528, Madhavdeva established the famous Dhekiakhowa Bornaamghar, a naamghar (prayer house) in Jorhat district, Assam, India. He kindled an earthen lamp there, which has been continuously burning ever since and a strong contender for the longest continuously lit lamp in the world.

On this occasion, we the family of SITM remembered this great saint-reformer and organized a program to observe his Tithi and pay tribute to his great works.

The program started with the lighting of the auspicious lamp by the respected faculty members and students of SITM.

Dr. Karabi Roy, Assistant Professor, SITM delivered a speech on Sri Sri Madhabdev and his great literary works. Then, Ishmita Das and Mayamoni Sarmah, students from various departments delivered talks and speech on Sri Sri Madhabdev.

The program ended with a vote of thanks given by Dr, Kamal Jyoti Barman, Assistant Professor, SITM.