Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev, the revered saint, poet, and reformer of Assam, is celebrated not only for his profound influence in Assam but also for his spiritual connection with Odisha, particularly with the sacred town of Puri and its iconic Jagannath Temple. Known as the pioneer of Assam’s Vaishnavite movement, Sankardev’s teachings and philosophy were deeply shaped by his pilgrimages, especially to Jagannath Puri, a journey that left an enduring legacy both in Assam and Odisha.
Sankardev, born in 1449 in the village of Bordua, Assam, embarked on a transformative spiritual journey that included visits to Vrindavana, Mathura, and Puri. According to his biographical account, Guru Charita Katha, Sankardev visited Puri at least twice. This pilgrimage to Jagannath Puri was not merely a journey; it was a pivotal moment in shaping his Vaishnavite teachings, which emphasized devotion (bhakti) to a single deity, Lord Vishnu, an approach that resonated deeply with the culture surrounding Lord Jagannath. In his seminal work, Kirtan Ghosha, Sankardev even includes a section called "Oresa Barnana," where he reflects on the origins and ritual practices of Jagannath Temple. This section describes the creation of the idols of Jagannatha, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, capturing the reverence and mystique associated with Lord Jagannath. Sankardev’s observations helped bring the spiritual ethos of Jagannath culture to Assam, influencing Assamese folk songs and local devotion to the deity.
The Srimanta Sankaradeva Namghar in Puri, established by the Sankardev Sanskriti Samaj, stands as a tribute to Sankardev’s bond with Jagannath. Namghars are prayer halls central to the Assamese Vaishnavite tradition, and this one in Puri commemorates Sankardev’s spiritual journey and his deep connection with Lord Jagannath. It also serves as a pilgrimage site for Assamese devotees, symbolizing the intercultural ties that Sankardev fostered. Managed by the Assam Panda family, who maintain Assamese cultural connections in Puri, the Namghar also includes a guest house that welcomes pilgrims from Assam. Recently, an Assam Jatri Nivas (pilgrim lodging) was established near the Jagannath Temple’s west gate, underscoring the cultural bridge between Assam and Odisha. Sankardev’s impact on Odisha’s cultural and religious landscape is widely recognized by scholars and historians in the region. Dr. Ram Chandra Mishra, a noted Odia scholar, described him as one of the great devotees of Lord Jagannath, while Prof. H. K. Satpathy, a former Vice-Chancellor of Sri Jagannath Sanskrit Vishwa Vidyalaya, highlighted the influence Sankardev had on Odisha’s religious community. Sankardev’s teachings of devotion and his connection to Jagannath were respected by the local scholars and temple priests, many of whom became admirers of his philosophy. In fact, Kavi Govinda Nayak, a court scholar under Gajapati King Divya Singha Dev, composed a poetic biography of Sankardev in a blend of Oriya and Vrajaboli, immortalizing Sankardev’s spiritual journey in Odisha. This biography, originally inscribed on palm leaves, has been translated into Assamese, bridging the literary heritage of both regions and further cementing Sankardev’s role in Odisha’s cultural memory.
While in Puri, Sankardev likely interacted with prominent Vaishnavite saints, including Atibadi Jagannatha Das, a key figure in Odia Vaishnavism who established the Bada Oriya Matha and Bhagawat Ghar. According to Dr. Satyendra Nath Sarma, an Assamese scholar, Sankardev may have received spiritual initiation from saints in Puri, marking a period of over a year where he actively engaged with the Odia Vaishnavite community. His reverence for Jagannath Das’s work, especially the translation of the Bhagavata Purana into Oriya, highlights Sankardev’s openness to the devotional practices of other regions, which he embraced and shared with his followers back in Assam. Sankardev’s pilgrimage to Jagannath Puri symbolizes an enduring spiritual connection that has transcended time and geographical boundaries. Today, his teachings and the Namghar in Puri continue to inspire a unique blend of Assamese and Odia devotion. His reverence for Lord Jagannath, along with his efforts to spread the values of bhakti and intercultural respect, represent the unity within the diverse traditions of India’s spiritual landscape. As Assamese devotees visit the Srimanta Sankaradeva Namghar in Puri, they honor not only Sankardev’s spiritual journey but also his legacy of building cultural bridges across regions. Through his life and teachings, Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev remains a beacon of devotion, cultural synthesis, and the unifying power of faith that connects Assam and Odisha to this day.
