Traditional attire to be made mandatory at Batadrava Than for visitors above 12: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on March 3 said that visitors above the age of 12 will be required to wear traditional attire while entering the historic Batadrava Than in Nagaon district.

Addressing a gathering, Sarma said the site is an Abirbhav Kshetra associated with Srimanta Sankardeva, a sacred birthplace marking the emergence of the 15th-century Vaishnavite saint and reformer. He said the decision was taken to preserve the cultural sanctity and spiritual atmosphere of the Satras.

Observing that visitors currently wear different kinds of clothes while entering the premises, the Chief Minister stressed the need to maintain the holy character of the institution. Referring to the presence of Bhagwat-related iconography within the complex, he underlined its religious significance.

“People want us to safeguard the culture and sanctity of our Satras. We have decided that visitors above 12 years of age will have to wear traditional dress. The exemption will apply to children below 12,” Sarma said.

He added that the rule would be made mandatory as part of efforts to uphold the traditions associated with the Vaishnavite institution founded by Srimanta Sankardeva.

Batadrava Than, a prominent religious and cultural centre in Assam, attracts devotees from across the State and beyond throughout the year. The Chief Minister said the move aims to ensure that the heritage and customs of the Satra are respected and preserved for future generations.