Assam: Centuries-old Moinbari Satra in Barpeta falls victim to brazen burglary

Burglars targeted the historic Moinbari Satra in Sarbhog, Barpeta, leaving a trail of destruction and stealing priceless relics that have been cherished for centuries. The centuries-old satra, founded by Narayan Das Thakur Aata, fell victim to a heinous act of vandalism and theft.

The thieves not only looted valuable artifacts but also desecrated the sacred sanctum of the Satra. Among the grievous losses incurred, the 400-year-old Hanuman idol housed within the kirtanghar was damaged, and the 400-year-old garuda bird idols, guru asanas, and items used for sacred services were vandalized.

According to Mahananda Adhikari, the son of the Satra's satradhikar, the thieves made off with two gold idols, flutes, crowns, and four gold necklaces belonging to Radha Krishna. The estimated worth of these two idols, with a history dating back approximately 450 years, is believed to exceed Rs 20 lakh.

The theft also included three prizes, five taals, and other items worth lakhs of rupees that were essential to the satra's rituals.

The stolen items encompass a pair of 500-year-old Manjira Taal, a sharai dating back to around 500 years, two large brass cubes weighing 10 kg and 2.5 kg, two kahar bhangars, two tamar ghati, two pitchers, four brass sharais, lota, nirmali, and 500-year-old conch shells.

The burglars forcibly entered the satra and broke the lock of an iron cupboard, making away with four gold-silver flowers and cash amounting to Rs. 10,400.

In addition to these losses, a vital part of the satra's equipment, a microphone set used during religious ceremonies, was also stolen. Alarmingly, four valuable books were reported missing from the satra's collection.