| Temples & Legends Of Assam |
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| Temples & Legends Of India |
THE SATRAS - III |
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| "The Dihing Satra and the Mayamara Satra"
writes Dr. S. K. Bhuyan,were the most prominent of the six Sudra monasteries of Upper
Assam, associated with Gopaladeva. As they admitted converts from the non-Aryan tribes and placed them on an elevated footing, these two Satras became extremely popular. Though they had caste Hindus in their fold, such as Brahmans, Kayasthas and Kalitas, their disciples consisted also of Kacharis, Ahoms, Kaivartas and Brittias; and in the case of Mayamara Satra, Chutiyas and Morans: as well. The democratic basis on which the Satras were run drew new converts to their fold from the influence of the caste-ridden Satras especially of the Brahmanical Order.In course of time the Dihing and the Mayamara- Satras grew to be strongholds of Sudra Vaishnavism in Upper Assam as opposed to Brahmanical monasteries. "To quote Dr. Bhuyan again: "The message of the Kalasamhati Satras (of Gopaladeva) reached the very masses of theAssamese nation. Those castes,which are now denominated as depressed were freely admitted into the fold of these Satras, and they gradually imbibed refined and enlightened ways of living. |
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