The monastic Sattras of Assam: tradition and tribulation

The Sattras of the Brahmaputra valley of Assam is a new type of religio-social and cultural organization of the Neo-Vaishnavite movement initiated by saint Sankaradeva. This institution served the purpose of spreading the faith of Bhakti far and wide. It helped to sustain and stabilize vaishnavism by making it a part and parcel of Assamese social life.Inspite of the Sattras diminished importance, they continue to an important role in the religious life of the Assamese Hindus. These institutions perform manyfold activities like initiation among the local people, practice of Sattriya music, dance and drama etc. These Sattras have been facing various problems, which have come to pose as threats not only to existence of the institution but also the unique socio-cultural setting of the state. In monastic Sattras both adhikara and bhakats spent their life in celibacy. The impact of modernization on the society is one of the factors leading to decrease in bhakat population. People who seek to become bhakats are declining day by day. There is a fear that if such a trend is continues, the institution of monastic Sattra may become extinct one day. An attempt has been made here to analyse the characteristics, contribution and present day problem faced by the monastic Sattras of Assam.