Madan Mohan
Kirtanghar
A sacred place shaped by history, devotion, memory and the cultural traditions of Howly.
One name carrying centuries of memory.
Madan Mohan Kirtanghar stands at the heart of Howly as a place of worship, cultural gathering and collective memory. Its story reaches beyond the present structure, connecting Howly with older traditions, historic figures and the Vaishnavite heritage of Assam.
A connection with the Koch Kingdom.
The present-day Howly region was historically connected with the Koch Kingdom. Koch king Nara Narayan was a major devotee of Madan Mohan and established the Madan Mohan Temple at Cooch Behar.
Nara Narayan later stayed in this region for twelve years, when Howly became associated with his presence as a secondary capital. This historical connection forms an important layer in the story of Madan Mohan's memory in Howly.
A sacred memory that remained.
Madan Mohan became more than the name of a deity. In the historical memory of Howly, the name came to represent devotion, continuity and a connection between generations.
That memory would later become central to the establishment of Madan Mohan Kirtanghar, preserving the name within the cultural and devotional life of the town.
A devotee within Howly's own history.
Chandi Narayan Baruah, associated with the Ahom administration and remembered as an important figure in Howly, was also a devotee of Madan Mohan.
Within his four-pura land estate in Howly, a Madan Mohan temple stood where he worshipped. The temple became part of the historical landscape of the settlement and an important link in the continuing memory of Madan Mohan.
A temple lost to a difficult time.
In 1823, during the third Burmese invasion, Chandi Baruah's estate and the Madan Mohan temple associated with it were destroyed. The physical structure disappeared, but the memory of Madan Mohan continued to survive within the history of Howly.
A difficult chapter
in Howly's history.
In 1823, during the third Burmese invasion, Chandi Narayan Baruah's estate and the Madan Mohan temple associated with it were destroyed. The physical site disappeared, but the memory of Madan Mohan continued to remain part of Howly's cultural history.
A memory resurfaced.
In 1943, while digging a well at Baruah Bazar in Howly, the late Narayan Das discovered objects underground. Some were believed to have been associated with the Madan Mohan temple that once stood within Chandi Baruah's estate.
The discovery added another layer to a story that had survived for generations. Although the original temple was gone, traces of its memory continued to emerge through Howly's landscape.
Madan Mohan Kirtanghar was established.
In 1978, Madan Mohan Kirtanghar was established in central Howly for the service and worship of Madan Mohan, the revered deity associated with Nara Narayan and Chandi Narayan Baruah.
The name Madan Mohan Kirtanghar preserved an older sacred memory while creating a new central space for worship, kirtan and community life.
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A central home for Howly's devotional life.
Vaishnavite Heritage
Howly carries an old Satriya tradition and Mahapurushiya heritage associated with the devotional culture of Assam.
Central Namghar
Every village in Howly has a namghar. Madan Mohan Kirtanghar became the central namghar of the town beside Howly Raas Mandir.
Founding Leadership
Dr. Surendra Nath Das served as the founding president, with Dr. Debendra Nath Das as secretary.
Foundation Stone
The foundation stone was laid by Chandrakanta Mishra, then Bura Satradhikar of Barpeta Satra, and Swami Krishnananda Brahmacharyadev.
Architecture carrying personal memories.
The Main Entrance Arch
The main entrance arch was built by the late Birinchi Choudhury, a prominent businessman of Howly, in memory of his father Biraja Nath Choudhury and mother Benu Choudhury.
The Southern Arch
The southern arch was commissioned by Hitendra Das in memory of his father, the respected teacher late Sadananda Das.
Built by Howly.
A management committee was formed by local residents to guide the activities and development of the Kirtanghar.
Over the years, the Howly Raas Mahotsav celebration committee has contributed grants towards infrastructure improvements, helping the campus evolve while retaining its devotional character.
The Kirtanghar is not only a place of worship. It is a shared civic and cultural space where generations of Howly residents gather.
When the town gathers as one.
During the Howly Raas Mahotsav, lakhs of people visit the Kirtanghar campus. The celebration transforms the surrounding space into a major centre of devotion, culture and community gathering.
The Kirtanghar and Howly Raas Mandir exist within the same campus, creating a powerful connection between the celebration of Raas and the devotional traditions of Madan Mohan.
Traditions that continue.
Howly's public Palnaam is held in the courtyard in front of the Kirtanghar, bringing people together from villages across the area.
Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva's Avirbhav Tithi is celebrated annually at the Kirtanghar with a full-day programme.
The annual Raas celebration brings large numbers of visitors to the shared campus of Howly Raas Mandir and Madan Mohan Kirtanghar.
Howly Raas Mandir
& Madan Mohan Kirtanghar
The two sacred institutions share the same campus and form an important cultural landscape in Howly. Together they provide a space for listening to and performing kirtan around the divine play of Lord Krishna.
The structure is modern.
The memory is much older.
From the Koch Kingdom and the devotion of Nara Narayan, to Chandi Narayan Baruah's temple, the destruction of 1823, the discovery of 1943 and the establishment of the Kirtanghar in 1978, the story of Madan Mohan continues to live within Howly.
Today, Madan Mohan Kirtanghar remains a place where history, worship, music, community and cultural memory meet.