HOWLYTOWN
Scroll to witness the present site transition into its envisioned completed construction.
Ghilajari Satra occupies a distinctive place in the historical memory of Howly and Lower Assam. The site is traditionally associated with the first meeting between Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev and Koch king Naranarayan.
According to the historical account presented by HowlyTown, Sankardev came from the Patbausi area of Barpeta to meet the king at Ghilajari, where he remained for a period to share his religious teachings.
Their encounter became part of the larger story of Assam's spiritual, cultural and political history.
The Ghilajari region became associated with the meeting of Srimanta Sankardev and King Naranarayan. The historical tradition records the encounter as an important moment in the cultural history of Assam.
The Guru Charita tradition describes Sankardev presenting the king with black gram, known as kola mah, together with a small quantity of blessed rice or nirmali.
At the location associated with their meeting, King Naranarayan established a royal household Satra. The institution was initially known simply as "Ghila Satra."
The Satra became part of a wider network of religious and cultural institutions connected with the Koch kingdom and the spread of Vaishnavite traditions in Assam.
After King Naranarayan eventually moved his capital elsewhere, the surrounding settlement diminished and the Satra gradually fell into neglect.
Srimanta Sankardev's grandson, Chaturbhuj Thakur, is credited with reviving the abandoned institution. Surrounded by marshland and vegetation, the revived Satra became known as Ghilajari Satra.
The source account records that King Parikshit Narayan, grandson of Chilarai, accepted spiritual guidance from Chaturbhuj Thakur and donated approximately eighteen hundred bighas of land to the Satra.
Chandibarua, the feudal lord of Barnagar, is also recorded as a patron and devotee associated with Ghilajari Satra.
The historical account records that invading Maan forces devastated Howly, which was then associated with the royal capital of Swargapuri Barnagar. Following the death of Raja Chandibarua, the Satra entered another period of decline.
Following the decline of the Maan forces and the arrival of British administration, the original land grant associated with King Parikshit Narayan was no longer held by the Satra and came under government possession.
The devastating Assam earthquake of 1897 destroyed or damaged many historical structures across the region.
According to the historical account, changes to the river landscape, including the formation of the Beki River, affected the original location of Ghilajari Satra.
The Satra was subsequently relocated westward to Raha village in 1910.
The account also states that an original handwritten Gunamala manuscript associated with Chaturbhuj Thakur is preserved at the Satra.
The historical account records that approximately one bigha and one lecha of land associated with the ancient Ghilajari Satra has been recovered at Kathalijhar, around four kilometres from Howly town.
It also reports government support through a grant of ₹10 lakh under the Assam Government's Asom Darpan scheme, with reconstruction work underway.
The story of Ghilajari Satra therefore continues beyond its ancient history. Its preservation connects Howly's present with a much older cultural landscape.
The site's traditional connection with Srimanta Sankardev places it within the wider spiritual and cultural history of Assam.
Its association with King Naranarayan connects Ghilajari with the political and cultural history of the Koch kingdom.
The Satra represents a continuing link between historical memory, spiritual practice and the communities of Assam.
The reported recovery of land and reconstruction efforts offer a new chapter in the preservation of this historic site.
Ghilajari Satra is an ancient religious and historical site associated with Howly, Assam. It is traditionally identified as the place where Srimanta Sankardev met King Naranarayan.
Its historical importance comes from its association with the meeting of Srimanta Sankardev and King Naranarayan and the subsequent establishment of a royal household Satra.
The historical account identifies Chaturbhuj Thakur, the grandson of Srimanta Sankardev, as the person who revived the abandoned Satra.
The recovered historical site is associated with Kathalijhar, approximately four kilometres from Howly town in Assam.
The source account reports that reconstruction is underway with support from an Assam Government grant under the Asom Darpan scheme.
The historical account states that an original handwritten Gunamala manuscript associated with Chaturbhuj Thakur is preserved at the Satra.
.png?ts=1791171922)
Discover the rich spiritual and historical legacy of Howly’s ancient Ghilazhari Satra — the first meeting place of Srimanta Sankardev and King Naranarayan. Explore the story of devotion, royal patronage, destruction, and revival that shaped this sacred site. Dive into the heritage of a Satra that witnessed centuries of Assam’s cultural evolution and continues to inspire with its timeless significance.
▶ The historic Ghilazhari Satra in Howly is known as the first meeting place between Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev and King Naranarayan. It was at this site that Sankardev stayed for four months to preach his religious teachings.
▶ During a period of misfortune, King Naranarayan of the Koch dynasty sought auspicious land ("Birmati") and ultimately found it in the Ghilazhari region, where he temporarily established his capital. At the same time, Srimanta Sankardev, arriving from Upper Assam, had taken residence at Patbausi in Barpeta. Hearing of King Naranarayan's virtues and grandeur, Sankardev came to meet the king here at Ghilazhari.
▶ According to the Guru Charita, during their meeting, Srimanta Sankardev offered King Naranarayan black gram (kola mah) and a small amount of blessed rice (nirmali) as tokens of goodwill.
▶ At this very site of their meeting, the king established a royal household satra, initially known simply as "Ghila Satra."
▶ Over time, after King Naranarayan shifted his capital elsewhere following twelve years of rule, the satra fell into neglect. With no human settlement around, the satra and the surrounding area became engulfed by wilderness.
▶ Later, Srimanta Sankardev’s grandson, Chaturbhuj Thakur, revived the overgrown and abandoned satra. Because it had become surrounded by marshes and thickets (jharoni), the satra came to be known as "Ghilazhari Satra."
▶ At the time of the satra’s reestablishment, the ruler of the Koch kingdom was King Parikshit Narayan, the grandson of Chilarai. King Parikshit took spiritual refuge under Chaturbhuj Thakur and donated eighteen hundred bighas of land to the satra.
▶ Chandibarua, the feudal lord of Barnagar, was also a devoted patron of the Ghilazhari Satra.
▶ In 1823, the invading Man forces destroyed Howly, then the royal capital of Swargapuri Barnagar. After the death of Raja Chandibarua, the Ghilazhari Satra too began to decline.
▶ After the fall of the Man invaders and the arrival of the British, the original land grant given by King Parikshit was lost, and the satra’s land came under government possession.
▶ The devastating Assam earthquake of 1897 wiped out many of the remaining historical assets of the region. Due to the creation of the Beki River during the earthquake, the satra had to be relocated westward to Raha village in 1910. It is said that the original handwritten Gunamala manuscript by Chaturbhuj Thakur is still preserved at the satra.
▶ Presently, according to government records, one bigha and one lecha of land belonging to the ancient Ghilazhari Satra has been recovered at Kathalijhar, about 4 kilometers from Howly town.
▶ Today, this ancient satra has received a government grant of 10 lakh rupees under Assam Government’s "Asom Darpan" scheme. Reconstruction work at the satra is currently underway under this project.
Translated to english by
Bhargav Das
Original by Ashim Das
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Ghilazhari Satra
1. What is Ghilazhari Satra?
Ghilazhari Satra is an ancient religious and historical site located in Howly, Assam. It is significant for being the first meeting place of Srimanta Sankardev, the great Assamese saint and reformer, and King Naranarayan of the Koch dynasty.
2. Why is Ghilazhari Satra historically important?
This Satra holds immense historical importance as the site of the initial interaction between Srimanta Sankardev and King Naranarayan, which paved the way for the spread of Bhakti movement in Assam. It also marks the establishment of one of the key Satras of the region, influencing Assamese culture and spirituality.
3. What happened to Ghilazhari Satra over time?
Over the years, Ghilazhari Satra experienced decline and destruction, especially after the fall of the Koch kingdom and the invasion by the Maan army in the 18th century. However, it was later revived by Chaturbhuj Thakur, the grandson of Sankardev, and is now a symbol of cultural revival.
4. Who revived Ghilazhari Satra?
The Satra was revived by Chaturbhuj Thakur, Srimanta Sankardev’s grandson, in the 19th century, ensuring the continuation of its religious and cultural legacy.
5. Where is Ghilazhari Satra located?
Ghilazhari Satra is located in the Kothalijhar area, approximately 4 km from Howly town in Assam.
6. What role did King Naranarayan play in Ghilazhari Satra’s history?
King Naranarayan played a significant role in the establishment of Ghilazhari Satra, having met Srimanta Sankardev at this site. He also contributed land for the Satra and was a key patron of the Bhakti movement in Assam.
7. Is Ghilazhari Satra open to visitors today?
Yes, Ghilazhari Satra is open to visitors today. It is an important cultural and spiritual site, with ongoing restoration efforts supported by the Assam government.
8. What historical artifacts are preserved at Ghilazhari Satra?
Historical artifacts, including the ‘Gunmala’ book signed by Chaturbhuj Thakur, are preserved at the Satra, showcasing its deep connection to the cultural history of Assam.
Welcome to Howly | Howly, a municipality in Barpeta district, Assam, India.
Explore 600 Years of Golden History of Howly .
এসময়ৰ ৰজা চণ্ডী নাৰায়ণ বৰুৱাৰ 'ৰাজহাউলি'য়ে কালক্ৰমত হৈ পৰিল "হাউলী"।
হাউলীত মহাপুৰুষ শ্ৰীমন্ত শংকৰদেৱ
লাচিত বৰফুকনৰ ধৰ্মগুৰু হাউলীৰ ৰামানন্দ দ্বিজ আছিল
হাউলী ৰাস মহোৎসৱ
(জন্ম আৰু বিকাশ )
