- Assam Governor Inaugurates Namhatta Sammelan In Presence Of Thousands Of Devotees

Guwahati, 30 October (HS): The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Assam on Friday launched its golden jubilee celebrations along with a grand Namhatta Sammelan and Bhakta Mahotsav at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati, marking 50 years of its spiritual and cultural journey in the state.

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated the three-day spiritual gathering, which witnessed the participation of thousands of devotees from nearly 25 districts of Assam. The open-air auditorium of Kalakshetra reverberated with Krishna naam kirtan and devotional chants as devotees, spiritual leaders and representatives of various religious and cultural institutions came together to mark the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said the teachings of Srimanta Sankaradeva and Madhavdeva, along with the spiritual philosophy and Krishna consciousness propagated by ISKCON founder-acharya Srila Prabhupada, offered the right path towards eliminating social evils, violence and unrest. He also observed that ISKCON's 50-year journey had made an invaluable contribution to Assam's spiritual and cultural landscape.

The celebrations seek to carry forward the tradition of Krishna devotion propagated in Northeast India nearly 500 years ago by the great Vaishnavite saints Srimanta Sankaradeva and Madhavdeva.

The organisers said Krishna consciousness and spiritual values could play an important role in promoting peace, harmony and ethical conduct in a world grappling with violence, hatred, conflicts and natural disasters.

During the inaugural ceremony, the commemorative souvenir 'Panchajanya', brought out to mark the golden jubilee of ISKCON Assam, was formally released by the distinguished guests.

The programme was attended by ISKCON Governing Body Commissioner Bhaktipurushottam Swami Maharaj, ISKCON Namhatta Director Gauranga Prem Karuna Swami Maharaj, Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Professor Nani Gopal Mahanta, Barpeta Satra Satradhikar Dr Babul Chandra Das Kashyap, BJP Assam Pradesh General Secretary Anup Barman and media adviser to BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, Apurba Adhikari, among other prominent personalities and senior spiritual leaders from Mayapur Dham.

Speaking on the occasion, Madhav Hari Das Prabhu of ISKCON Mayapur said the organisation of Harinaam kirtan in Guwahati during the auspicious month of Kati would give a new dimension to the propagation of Neo-Vaishnavite traditions in Assam.

The festival features a series of spiritual and cultural programmes, including japa mala sessions, Vedic dance performances, recitation of Bhagavad Gita verses, Sattriya dance, Borgeet presentations and distribution of prasad.

The organisers said the celebrations were aimed at strengthening spiritual awareness, social harmony and unity through the teachings of Lord Krishna. Karunamoy Chaitanya Das Kaushik Prabhu, chief organiser and manager of ISKCON Namhatta Assam, appealed to people to participate in the celebrations and extend their cooperation towards the initiative.---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash