A Case Study of Sonitpur, Assam, India

Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology ISSN No : 1006-7930 Social Special Accomplishment in Temples: A Case study of Sonitpur, Assam, India Rupam Borthakur Assistant Professor, Department of Assamese, Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya, Assam, India Manisha Bordoloi Research Scholar, Department of Assamese, Gauhati University, Assam, India Abstract- There is an indispensable related subject of society and that Religious institution on temples. Therefore it is seen that the social responsibility of temples or various religious institutions is of variety in members. At the same time, it can be said that in the growth and development of human civilization, the contribution of religions institution or temples are very significant. The temples of Sonitpur District have been attributing contributions to the social development for long. The social special deed related with the temples of Sonitpur district are – religions special deed, the establishment of social unity, respectfulness of culture, providing the facility of entertainment, to give moral education, social control, cultural reflection, economic special deed, center of tourism, historical study also source of Research and folk literature collection and study. This study will attempt to comprehend that the temples of Tezpur have been rescuing religion, culture, and art – civilization since ancient times up to the peasant time. Temples have been maintaining a pioneering role in the construction of religious elements, secularism, unity, friendship, patience, and society cum race. At the influence of godly powers, the religion preached in temples have bound the society attracting the mind of the devotees. Keywords: Religion, Temple, Custom, Culture, Belief. I. INTRODUCTION Religious institutions or temples are an organically related subject of society. The relation of religion with society is very intense. So, the social responsibilities of temples or various religious institutions are of variety in number. Various festivals can beliefs are related to temples. These festivals and beliefs are indispensable organs of society and culture. It is seen the influence of people’s beliefs and activities with the traditional festival-programs of a society. The customs of a society, lifestyles, religious heritage, traditional social belief, unity among human beings and harmony, etc. pictures are reflected with the festival-programs related to the temples. The festival-programs are directly related to society. The festival programs of society are born in the womb of that society and society takes care of those festivals. Moreover, it is seen the contributions of society in their future development [1]. Festival and its related future – programs are included in the subject of society. It is impossible for the theoretical study of a society ignoring such types of customs. Along with the customs included in the society festival-programs also perform various social special deeds. The social special deeds that perform festival – programs related to temples are mainly connected with the political institution, social institution, social moral value, and social formation. The social special deed related to temples cum festival – programs are divided into two parts. Those are; a) Positive, and b)Negative. Positive social special deeds are divided into various sub-sections. Culturist Sahablal Shribastab has divided the positive social special deed into ten sub-sections. Those are i) Religious special deed, ii) Luxury, iii) The teaching of ethical education, iv) Socialization, v) Social control, vi) Social complaint, vii) Publicity media, viii) Knowledge Recollection, ix) Proof of culture, and x) Social set [2]. The temples of Sonitpur District also have been attributing contributions in social development. Therefore the significance of the temples of the district and the festival's programs related to the temples is also huge and infinite. The social special deeds related to the temples of this district are discussed bellow. Volume XII, Issue IV, 2020 Page No: 4501 Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology ISSN No : 1006-7930 II. DISCUSSION 2.1 Religious Special Deed The idea of religion in human society is very ancient. Religion is the base of the universe. Religion is the impulsion of the social behavior of man. To be kind, sympathetic, consolidated to others, etc. are the special part of religion. So, religion keeps away people from unsocial activities. Religion maintains the level of ethics of social life. Religion never gives shelter to dishonesty, jealousy, hatred, lies, and other unsocial activities. Religion inspires good deed. One more characteristic of religion is to show respect to the wish of others on to attribute selfless service to the necessity of others to help others in their need is a good deed and it is called religious duty. The significance of religion has changed from time to time. Religion is the collection of the customs that have been continuing since ancient times, beliefs, moral values, etc. Though religious expression remains silent at the general state, its reflection takes place through various programs. Temples are born based on people’s beliefs and traditions based on belief. The programs related to temples increase the workforce among people. This type of program reform and moderate person’s nature by bringing is to control people's uncontrolled and unethical activities [3]. Hindu religion is the most ancient religion of India. The temples of Hindu religion and the programs related to those have attributed contributions in varied ways in terms of performing religious special deeds. It is worshipped goddess Kali also with Mahadev and goddess Durga in the remarkable temples of Sonitpur District deep hilly Shiv temple, Mahabhairab temple, Singari temple, Biswanath temple, Nag Shankar temple, and Bhairabi temple. One of the festivals celebrated happily in Mahabhairab temple is Shivratri. Shivratri festival is celebrated is Biswanath, Nagshankar, and Singari temple-like Mahabhairab temple. Bolbom festival is also celebrated is these temples in the month lasting activities. The interest and dedication of the Hindu religion-oriented people are universal towards the easily satisfied God Shiv. People participate here irrespective of caste-community and creed. Such type of spontaneous participation brings Shivratri and Bolbom program to the height & religious blindness. Kalipuja is also celebrated in Bhairabi temple along with Durga Puja in a very pious way. The sacrificing process has prevailed in this temple. Sacrificing tradition is very ancient in India. In ancient times the Kings in under to extend their strength worshipped power goddess and sacrificed animals as oblation in the feet of Goddess. This sacrificing tradition is related to universal peace in a disguised way. There is no scientific base on it. On the other hand in the outside compound of Mahabhairab temple and the Chandi temple situated in the Biswanath area, it is celebrated anti sacrificing Durga puja. Generally, though there is a custom of sacrificing duck, pigeons, goat, etc in Puja in both these temples, the animals are set free by exposing them on the name of Goddess for the universal welfare of the nation and the community. Therefore such type of religious festivals well constructs the society publishing the message of peace and harmony along with making the religious binding strong in the society. Any kind of religion by teaching people discipline teaches people to be honest. Based on that people have been learning this education from the temples of Sonitpur. Moreover, temples always increase godly belief, worshipping mentality, etc. The temples of Sonitpur also increase the level of devotion among the distant devotees along with local people. The temples have created the systems to always obey the religious customs and the matters like getting results from that etc. Various obligations related to temples control the norms of society along with man. Moreover, such types of religious obligations by creating a healthy spiritual environment help in the spiritual welfare of humankind. It is seen noticing from this direction that the religious festivals celebrated in the temples of Sonitpur District have a special significance and those help in performing the religious special deed. 2.2 Establishment & Social Unity Religion does not only give self-satisfaction to people; it also brings unity to society. Society exists only through unity. Man cannot be happy until he adjusts to society. Only religion makes it possible. A man’s obligation to his society arises as soon as he participates in the religious programs prevailing in the temples. It teaches people to sacrifice for society and acts as the conductor of controlling society. So it is seen the contribution of the temples in establishing social unity. The various customs celebrated in the temples help to arouse unity harmony and brotherhood among the man. Society is a collection of human folk living irrespective of cast-creed and community. Unity is an important element for the progress and development of a society. People have been performing various activities in terms of various religious programs since ancient times. It is seen such types of activities related to religious programs helping to establish social unity from time to time. It is performed various social reformative activities in the Hindu religious temples of Sonitpur District. Among such types of reformative activities Annaprasan, Surakarna,

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