Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday inaugurated the Rs 227-crore redeveloped Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in Assam’s Nagaon district, marking the completion of a flagship cultural and spiritual heritage project of the state government.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Pabitra Margherita, and state Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Bora were present at the ceremony held at the historic site, formally known as the Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva Abhirbhav Kshetra.
Shah was accorded a traditional satriya welcome by gayan-bayan performers and later toured the main complex, including the central structure housing the Guru Asana, the revered seat of Srimanta Sankardeva.
The redevelopment project was first proposed in the 2021–22 Assam budget and has been implemented across 165 bighas of land in three phases. The foundation stone for the project was laid by Shah in December 2020. While the initial allocation stood at Rs 188 crore, the total project cost eventually rose to Rs 227 crore.
Designed as a major centre for cultural and spiritual tourism, the complex aims to reflect the life, ideals and artistic heritage of Srimanta Sankardeva, as well as Assam’s broader Vaishnavite traditions. The entire layout has been conceptualised in the form of a tree, with the Guru Asana at its centre and other structures branching outwards.
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The architecture incorporates traditional Assamese elements and cultural motifs, with buildings shaped to represent indigenous musical instruments, dance forms, performance styles and aspects of everyday Assamese life. A detailed visual narrative of Sankardeva’s life forms a key component of the complex.
Speaking at the event, Sarma said the project honours Sankardeva’s legacy and strengthens “our commitment to preserving Assam's satras, namghars and cultural heritage”. He added that the redevelopment would elevate Batadrava Than into a national and international destination for spiritual tourism, ensuring Sankardeva’s legacy reaches future generations.
The chief minister also referred to an eviction drive carried out in December 2022 to remove encroachments from satra land. “Batadrava Than, freed from encroachments, is now a shining example of what steely resolve can do for the protection of our heritage,” Sarma said.
The complex includes exhibition galleries, a theatre hall for bhaona and cultural performances, a performing arts centre, guest houses, a tribal guest house, a health centre and the Manikanchangriha, which introduces visitors to the artistic traditions of the namghar. Surveillance towers, walkways and designated parking areas have also been integrated.
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