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The Ancient Ghilazhari Satra of Howly

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.