The actual name is 'Kamrupia Sanatan Dharma Mandali' [KSDM]. During our childhood, there used to be mythological theatres on the eve of Durga Puja and Sankar Utsav. Elephant riding was a common activity in the presence of Late Kanak Chandra Chaudhury, my grandfather and one of the principal architects of the KSDM. Growth and development of this great institution is attributable to the efforts of Late BR Kalita, Late AdyaNath Chakrabarty, Late Lohit Mahanta, Late Bisayram Mahajan and a host of other pioneers. The greatest contribution of this institution is it's message of religious tolerance where under the same roof Brahmania culture as well as Sankari Culture are practised and cultured. Durga Puja and Sankar Utsav are celebrated with the same amount of festivities, splendour and gaiety. We remember the same people associated with the durga puja appearing on the next day amidst huge gatherings of people to start the procession marking the start of the Sankar Utsav led by a huge posse of Elephants and Trucks laden with troupes of people and bards. As children and being associated with the Namghar I was called the 'soru bhakat' by the friends of my 'Ata' so riding on the Elephants were common. During the course of the procession, all religious minded people would have baskets of rice and bananas in front of their gates for the elephants to devour laid out on phulam gamochas and with Agarbatti and dhuna would propitate infront of the leaders of the procession [actually before the Bhagawat] being carried by the Satradhikar or his nominee, the Pathak. |
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