Today marks the Tirobhav Tithi of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev, a towering spiritual luminary whose life and works reshaped the socio-cultural fabric of Assam and reaffirmed the unity of Bharat’s civilizational ethos. Sankardev was not just a saint; he was a poet, playwright, philosopher, and cultural architect who envisioned a harmonious society rooted in devotion, morality, and the eternal values of Sanatan Dharma.
From time immemorial, pilgrimages have been an inseparable part of Bharat’s socio-cultural life. These sacred journeys were never mere physical travels; they were spiritual quests, cultural bridges, and intellectual exchanges that bound this vast land into a single civilizational continuum. Saints, scholars, and seekers journeyed across rivers, mountains, and forests to the tirthas—the holy sites that pulsated with divine energy and knowledge. In the same spirit, the scholars and saints of Northeast India visited distant shrines of the Indian subcontinent, while sages from across Bharat made their way to the serene and sacred landscapes of the Northeast. This movement of ideas and devotion created a spiritual confluence that enriched all corners of the land.
Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev epitomized this tradition of pilgrimage and cultural dialogue. In 1481, at the age of 32, he embarked on his first grand pilgrimage, accompanied by 17 associates including his teacher Mahendra Kandali and close companion Ramaram. Over the next 12 years, Sankardev traversed the length and breadth of Bharat, visiting Puri, Gaya, Kashi, Prayag, Vrindavan, Mathura, Ayodhya, Sitakund, Dwarka, and even Rameswaram. His journey took him to the very heart of the Bhakti Movement, where he encountered saints and thinkers who were shaping a new spiritual wave rooted in Bhakti and devotion to a single Supreme Being—Lord Vishnu.
His prolonged stay at the sacred Jagannath Temple in Puri became a turning point. Here, he exchanged knowledge with scholars from across Bharat, absorbing the essence of Vaishnavite philosophy while contributing his own insights. These interactions deeply influenced his later works, laying the foundation of Neo-Vaishnavism in Assam. At Badrikashrama in 1488, he composed his first Borgeet, “Mana meri Ram charanahi lagu”, in the Brajavali language, blending linguistic elegance with devotional fervor.
Sankardev’s second major pilgrimage in 1550 saw him traveling again, this time with a larger group of 117 disciples, including the illustrious Madhavdeva. Their journey led them once more to Puri and to the Math of Bhakta Kabir, further reinforcing the pan-Indian spiritual ties that Sankardev cherished. These pilgrimages were not mere journeys; they were acts of cultural consolidation that wove Assam into the larger tapestry of Bharatiya civilization.
Through his travels and teachings, Sankardev championed oneness amidst diversity, promoting a cultural identity that was inclusive yet firmly rooted in Dharma. He gave Assam its vibrant heritage of Sattras, Naamghars, Borgeets, and the classical dance form Sattriya, all of which continue to thrive as living traditions that embody the eternal spirit of Bharat.
However, as we celebrate his Tirobhav Tithi, we must also reflect on his vision. Sankardev’s work was not only about devotion; it was about cultural preservation and identity. Today, when foreign faiths and demographic invasions threaten the delicate fabric of our traditions, it becomes our responsibility to safeguard this heritage. Protecting our culture is not an act of exclusion but an affirmation of who we are—a people bound by timeless values, spiritual wisdom, and shared history.
Srimanta Sankardev’s life reminds us that Bharat’s strength has always been its cultural unity in spiritual diversity. By honoring his legacy, we not only pay tribute to a saint but also uphold the very idea of Bharat—a land where sacred journeys connect hearts, where traditions withstand the test of time, and where identity flourishes against all odds.
