Jorhat, Sept 12: Observing the sacred Tirobhav Tithi of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev on Saturday, Jorhat marked the occasion with religious programmes organised across the district to commemorate the Vaishnavite saint. The day-long programme was organised on Nilmoni Phukan Road by the Jorhat Shak-Pasoli Traders’ Association.

The day’s programme began with the hoisting of the religious flag, followed by the lighting of lamps and offering of floral tributes before the portraits of legendary cultural icons Dr Bhupen Hazarika, popularly known as Sudhakantha, and Zubeen Garg. A religious procession carrying the Bhagavata, accompanied by elephants, was subsequently taken through the city.

“We are organising the Tirobhav Tithi of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev. The first programme, the hoisting of the religious flag, has been completed, while the religious procession is currently underway.

After this, we will participate in Naam-Kirtan in the afternoon,” a member of the organising committee said. He said the evening programme would include a Dasha Avatar dance performance, Sattriya dance and a Dihanam performance by the central Hari Naam group from Dhemaj followed by a Bhaona staged by children at night.

Meanwhile, the historic Dhekiakhowa Bornaamghar and Moinapuriya Naamghar are also observing the Tirobhav Tithi with day-long programmes, including Naam Prasanga and other religious activities. Earlier in the day, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also paid tribute to Sankardev on the occasion.

In a post, Sarma described Sankardev as one of the great Vaishnavite saints of Bharat whose spiritual vision strengthened the country’s civilisational and cultural unity. “Through his profound teachings, art and literature, Gurujona enriched Assamese society while carrying the timeless values of Sanatan Dharma to generations,” the Chief Minister said, offering his tributes to the saint on his Tirobhav Tithi.

The death anniversary, regarded as the Tirobhav Tithi of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev is observed annually across Assam to remember the revered Vaishnavite saint and honour his enduring contributions to Assamese society, literature, art and the Ekasarana Naam Dharma tradition. Sattras and Naamghars across the state mark the day with Naam Prasanga, devotional singing, religious processions and cultural programmes.