Namghar
Encyclopedia
Namghar is a social rendezvous used for various spiritual activities such as common prayer(Different types of Naam
), Bhaona(Kind of Spritual Drama with traditional costumes and musical dance form) used by Assamese peopleVaishnavite Hindus in Assam
.The Vaishnavites are devotees of Lord Krishna
who assemble in namghars regularly to offer prayers. They recite verses from holy books like kirtan, bhagwat, Naam Ghosa
and others, accompanied by rhythmic clapping and sometimes with ethnic musical instruments. Though its function is limited to religious activities, It is also used as a community hall where various educational, political, cultural and developmental activities are discussed and undertaken in a democratic manner. It is considered to be a contribution of the neo-vaishnavite movement in Assam.
Namghars were introduced in Assam by the Vaishnavite saint Sri Srimanta Sankardeva
(1449-1569). Namghar contains a ‘manikut’ at its one end, opposite to the main entrance. This contains a holy book for worshipping purpose, is usually supported by the idols of 4 elephants, 24 lions and 7 tigers. The hall also contains idols of mythical figures like Garoor
, Hanuman
, ‘Nagar’ and ‘Ananta.’
Naam
Nāma is the Sanskrit for "name". Spiritually, it is the principal method or tool of meditation, which is meant to unite the soul with the Supreme Soul....
), Bhaona(Kind of Spritual Drama with traditional costumes and musical dance form) used by Assamese peopleVaishnavite Hindus in Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
.The Vaishnavites are devotees of Lord Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
who assemble in namghars regularly to offer prayers. They recite verses from holy books like kirtan, bhagwat, Naam Ghosa
Naam Ghosa
Naam Ghosa is a book on poem in praise of Lord Krishna and of Vaishnavism or the bhakti cult. Written is Assamese in the sixteenth century by Shree Shree Madhabdev, it extols the practice of devotion to the deity and chanting hymns in praise of the Lord as the only way to attain moksha or...
and others, accompanied by rhythmic clapping and sometimes with ethnic musical instruments. Though its function is limited to religious activities, It is also used as a community hall where various educational, political, cultural and developmental activities are discussed and undertaken in a democratic manner. It is considered to be a contribution of the neo-vaishnavite movement in Assam.
Namghars were introduced in Assam by the Vaishnavite saint Sri Srimanta Sankardeva
Srimanta Sankardeva
Mahapurusha Srimanta Shankardeva , was the greatest Assamese saint-scholar, playwright, social-religious reformer and a colossal figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam, India...
(1449-1569). Namghar contains a ‘manikut’ at its one end, opposite to the main entrance. This contains a holy book for worshipping purpose, is usually supported by the idols of 4 elephants, 24 lions and 7 tigers. The hall also contains idols of mythical figures like Garoor
Garuda
The Garuda is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology.From an Indian perspective, Garuda is the Hindu name for the constellation Aquila and...
, Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
, ‘Nagar’ and ‘Ananta.’