Jamugurihat

Jamugurihat জামুগুৰিহাট Jamuguri
Town
Jamugurihat Location in Assam, India
Coordinates: 26°44′N 92°56′E / 26.73°N 92.93°E / 26.73; 92.93Coordinates: 26°44′N 92°56′E / 26.73°N 92.93°E / 26.73; 92.93
Country	India
State	Assam
District	Sonitpur
Elevation	73 m (240 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	19,743
Languages
• Official	Assamese
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)

Jamugurihat is a small town situated in Sonitpur district, in the state of Assam in India. The town is located north of Brahmaputra River. It is well known as the location of the 200-year-old Baresahariya Bhaona festival.

Geography

Jamugurihat is located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River, 244 kilometres (152 mi) from Guwahati, the capital of Assam, and 50 kilometres (31 mi) east of Tezpur. Agriculture & allied occupation constitute the rural economy besides a large chunk of people engaged in Tea cultivation. Jamugurihat is a small town with 19,743 population (according to 2011 Census) where has 52 villages’ with different communities like Assamese, Nepali, Bengali, Muslim etc. with different religions. But all community people is lived here as a union, and all of these help each other in any problem. In Jamugurihat have more than 60 Namghar and Temples. In Jamugurihat approximately 15% of people doing Govt. Services, 35% peoples are doing some different types of Business and another 50% peoples are depending on different types of Agriculture. Jamugurihat is lies between Kani Dekorai and Jiya Bhoroli River. Sijusa Picnic spot is situated at Northern part of Jamugurihat & The 6th edition of Kaziranga is extended up to Panpur the southern part of Jamugurihat.

Climate

Jamugurihat has moderate to warm climate in summer and in February one might require a light pullover or wrap at night. The temperature during the period would be 18 to 23 degree C. It is very good place for various types of Agriculture.

Educational Institute

Jamugurihat is a very well educated place. It has more than 200 no's Govt. L.P. School, 20 no's Govt. M.E. School, 8 no's of Govt. High School and 4No's Govt. Higher Secondary Schools. Some English medium Private sector schools are also available in this area. Jamuguri Higher Secondary School is Estd. in the year 1925 and situated Near NH-52 (Now named as NH-15) and 1.5 km. from Jamugurihat main Centre which is the oldest school of this area. In Jamugurihat have only one Govt college name is Tyagbir Hem Baruah College. Tyagbir Hem Baruah College established in 1963 is the only institute of higher education in the greater Naduar area. Situated in the picturesque surroundings alongside the NH-52.and 3 km. east side from Jamuguri main Centre in the Sonitpur district, the college is named after Tyagbir Hem Baruah (1893-1945) renowned freedom fighter of the freedom movement of India. Born to Gopal ch. Baruah and Padmawati Baruah at Tezpur. Hem Baruah offered his public service as G.S. to the Cotton College Student 'Union' president of the Golaghat convention of the Assam Chatra Sanmilan (1919) and took part actively in the Freedom Movement and went to Jail for six months in 1921. He was elected Secretary of the Assam pradesh Congress Committee 1922 and went again to Jail in 1930 & 1933. The people of Jamugurihat dedicated their only institute of higher learning, Tyagbir Hem Baruah College in the memory of this great and honest freedom fighter of the state. The College has been playing a vital role in providing higher education to the students of Naduar area since inception. The College imparts both Science and Arts faculties.

Culture of Jamugurihat

Jamugurihat is the town of Assamese Culture. This place is specially known for the famous cultural monument Baresahariya Bhaona, Borpukhuripar Mukoli Bihu, kuchgaonor kalio Domon Bhowna etc.

Barechaharia Bhowna

The word ‘Barechahar’ signifies several villages and in this several teams stage Baresahariya Bhaona unlike other Bhaona simultaneously at different stages under a single roof made in the form of a fully blossomed lotus with locally abundant bamboo & thatch. It is a matter of wonderful feat of human dexterity and craftsmanship to build such great structure manually with community help irrespective of race, religion or tribal affiliations thus it become an ideal meeting ground for diverse races, as Assam gave shelter to streams of human waves carrying distinct cultures and trends of civilization from the time immemorial. The festival is held on the full moon night of Assamese ‘Chat’ month after the harvesting season.

History has it that Barechahariya Bhaona (Assamese: বাৰেচহৰীয়া ভাওনা) has traversed a long way of 213 years since its inception in 1797 AD at Jamugurihat. The convergence of religion and culture has given this festival the strong fabric to survive the forces of time while retaining its enduring and mesmerizing quality of storytelling. Normally the Bhaowna is a dramatization of stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas etc. in a different style created by the Mahapurush Sankardev, the great vaishnavite saint, philosopher, reformer, poet, writer, dramatist etc. depicted with Bhakti Rasa in the form of different Raga & Tala. The main target of the saint was to unite the then diverse society with the spirit of entertainment and also to attract towards the vaishnavism preached by Him.The traditional Bhaowna is held in a Namghar, the traditional prayer house of a village unit called Khel and also in Sattras, a monastery like institution to promote the Sankari culture, founded by Sankardev.In the traditional Bhaowna there is always a group of musicians comprising Gayan & Bayan that is singer and drummer who begin the orchestra (Jora) in Sankari style followed by the entry of Sutradhar who recites slokas and narrates the entire story of the drama to be performed. The Director, here is known as Gayanbora commands other performers to make entryinto their own stage. Nam prasanga meanskirtana also is an integral part of the Bhaona. Brajabuli is used to script the dialogues.The concept of Barechaharia Bhaona is derived from the traditional Bhaona and in this festival, unlike other Bhaona it is performed by several teams. The Bhaona is performed simultaneously by teams from the different villages of the region on several stages by the holy altar in the center. It is of great pride to say that only materials used is the locally abundant bamboo, thatch, cane etc. with help from community workers from the locality. The unique design, the rudimentary materials used and the organization of labour may at first seem unfit for such a beautiful creation; however, it is something to sense and all of a sudden standing under the pandal which can fit 30,000 makes one think about the magnanimity of human motivation and dedication.It can be said without doubt that people who pour in from various corners of the region reaches several lakhs over the span of the Barechaharia Bhaona. The sea of population that surrounds the Bhaona pandal every day are of different caste, creed & community and the palpable sense of culture all around binds each and every one of them into one single thread of human kind.We hope the modern technology applied to print and audio-visual media can do a lot for appraisal of this rare cultural show across the globe. The main ‘mandap’ or the enclosure erected is lotus- shaped and is decorated with straw, bamboo, coconut and betelnut leaves and the Bhagwad Gita is placed right at the centre on a raised platform.

Baghbheta of Jamugurihat

Baghbheta is an extinct tradition of Jamugurihat, a place of immense historical importance in the Sonitpur district of Assam. The tradition of Baghbheta has disappeared gradually, so has the Forest. Also the number of tiger has declined incredibly. Killing a tiger has become illegal. But there used to be terror of tiger and other wild animals in Jamugurihat and the other places to the east of river Jia-Bharali. Folks out there started facing this challenge very strongly and started coming out voluntarily to kill and drive away tigers from their habitat places. This purpose helped the citizens of the eastern parts of river Jia Bharali to come united and it soon embodied to be a festival in those places. In those days it was not a crime to kill a tiger. To catch tigers, people from those villages used to prepare jute rope. In case a tiger is traced the village messenger would spread the news to all the villages in the locality. People were swift enough to come out spontaneously with nets and other instruments to catch a tiger.

There were two methods of catching tigers. In the first method, nets used to be placed in three sides of the tiger, people advancing from the fourth one, simultaneously hosting nets in that front. Thus very soon the tiger would be surrounded by nets from all the sides. In this process, if the tiger tears through the net, or dies in attempt to do so, the village who had prepared that particular net used to be penalized. Usually tigers had no chance to tear a net as people across it were ready with javelins and axes. If a tiger tries to tear a net, the poachers would hurt it with the javelins or make noise with the instruments driving him into his confinement.

In the second method, a prey (a dead goat or any other dead animal) is used to trap the tiger. A cage like trap (Jaap) is set and the prey is placed on the threshold of the trap. A liver is placed between the prey and the door of the trap in such a way that any touch in the prey would instantly shut the door of the trap, thus trapping the tiger. This method of catching tiger is called ‘Baghjaap’ The traditional ‘Baghbheta’ festival kept on rolling in the culture of Assam, very much colloquially of course. The festival of ‘Baghbheta’, once epitomizing unity and courage of the Jamugurihatian natives, has become a legend in the present times.

Borpukhuripar Mukoli Bihu

Bihu (Assamese: বিহু) denotes a set of three different cultural festivals of Assam and celebrated by the Assamese diasporas around the world. Though they owe their origins to ancient rites and practices they have taken definite urban features and have become popular festivals in urban and commercialized milieus in the recent decades. One includes the Assamese New Year celebrated in April. Bihu is also used to imply Bihu dance and Bihu folk songs. The Rongali Bihu or the Bohag Bihu is an important festival of Assam. The most important festivals of Assam are the Bihus, celebrated with fun in abundance by all Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, and belief.

Jamugurihat also famous for its Bihu culture. The famous bihu of Jamugurihat is Borpukhuripar mukoli bihu. Peoples of Jamugurihat Celebrate the Borpukhuripar Mukholi Bihu with very responsively. this festival is held in every year in the month of April. This festival is arranged by a bihu committee in an open field. This field is situated at 3 km. South east from Jamuguri center. More than 30 Bihu group is participate in this festival at a time from different places of Assam.

Kaliadomon Bhowna

Jamugurihat is famous for Bhawna. All villagers of this area celebrated the bhawna in memories of Mahapurush Shankardeva and Mahapurush Madhabdeva. Another most popular Bhowna in jamugurihat is Kochgaon Kaliadomon bhowna which is held on every year of Shankardeva Tithi at Kochgaon Namghar. It is situated north side of Jamugurihat and distance 2.5 km. from Jamugurihat Centre. The Bhowna is very faithfully observed by villagers. Almost all of the people of Jamugurihat and outside devotees are faithfully observed this Bhowna.

Buka Khesa Bhowna

The another popular culture of Jamugurihat is Buka Khesa Bhowna which is every year held at west side 3 km. from Jamugurihat Centre in a village which name is Patalarchuk.In this year the Bhowna is successfully completed 256 years. This Bhowna is different from another Bhowna by type. In this Bhowna the Peoples of the Patalarchuk village makes a pond and in that pond they mixed water and soil and make these into mud. Their after the villagers are goes inside the pond and play the Bhowna. They are throwing the mud to each other and they enjoy the bhowna.

Sights of Jamugurihat

Pithaguri Dol

It is situated in Karchantola Area. As per historical observation in the age of king Arimatta this dol was built with Pithaguri (Rice Powder).

Sukan Pukhuri

It was also dig by King Arimatta. But there is no water in the pond.

Hukai Pukhuri

This was another historical pond of Jamugurihat which was dig by King Hukai Bhuyan to bath his 4 no's of daughter's. it is situated near Panchigaon Hukai Pathar.

Shukleswar Dewalaya

It was built by King Rudrasingha situated at Kochgaon.

Bura Gosain Dewalaya

It was also built by King Rudrasingha at Ahom Era. It is situated at Nandikeswar gaon.

Norowa Than

It is situated at Dhekerigaon near Karchantola. Once upon a time in this than the Mahapurush Shankardeva trained baishnavi Culture to bhaktas. There is an oldest well in this than which was used by Shankardeva for drinking water.

Cultural Centre of Jamugurihat

Bapuji Bhawan Natya Samaj

Bapuji Bhawan Natya Samaj is a Society of Jamugurihat which is situated at Near Evening daily Market and in front of Jamuguri Govt. Hospital. This bhawan has a Committee who are care the bhawan. They are arranged some drammer and other programme in this Bhawan.

Abhijatri Kala Kendra

It is the main Cultural Institute of Jamugurihat. It is situated at main centre of Jamugurihat side of NH-52 and in front of P.W.D. Bungalow Jamugurihat. Abhijatri Kala Kendra trained the students of Jamugurihat in various cultures like Satriya Nitya, Vocal, Drama, Art etc. which develop the students in cultural line.

Shankari Kala kristi vikash Kendra

An institute relates with Shankari Sanskriti Established by Srimanta Sankardev Sangha (Jamuguri Branch) is situated near by Jamuguri Higher Secondary school.(By-Sanjib Kumar Hazarika)

Abhilash Kala Kendra

It is a branch of Abhiyatri Kala Kendra and presently the branch is temporarily do their activities in Fine Arts,Vocal in North Jamuguri M.E girls high school.Till now The branch has not got any Govt Aid to establish a permanent training center for hundred of students/children.(By -Sanjib Kumar Hazarika)

Acting Academy

This academy was established in the heart of Dhalaibil centre before many years by a few ambitious youth to make a good environment of Acting Art. The academy basically worked for one act drama and participates in one act drama competition in various part of India every year and has been awarded many times by judge. Shishir Borthakur,a cultural worker, who is now the Chairman of this Institution.(By-Sanjib Kumar Hazarika )

Business

It is a very good place for business people. Jamugurihat have a business union Estd. In 1975 which name was Jamuguri Merchant Association and now it is known as Jamuguri Business Union. In Jamugurihat centre have more than 200nos of shop in different types. A weekly market is going on every Thursday. Where different types of business man came from different place like Tezpur, Balipara, Biswanath chariali etc. The Villagers of backward side of Jamugurihat like Kathpura, Laletapu, Gamiripal, depends on this market which main income source is agriculture. They are came to this market for sales their agricultural yields.

Govt. & Semi Govt. Organization

Many govt. offices are available in Jamugurihat. Jamugurihat have a Police Station near the Jamuguri centre who also cares Jamugurian people. Fire station is available in Jamugurihat. It is situated at back side of Jamuguri Higher Secondary School. Who served help the big area of Jamugurihat every time. Jamugurihat have One Government Hospital with 30 bed capacity. In Jamugurihat have 5 Nationalize banks that always care the people from financial transaction. One main Post Office and 3 sub post office is also available in Jamugurihat.One branch of State Bank of India is newly established Bank in Jamugurihat.

Problems of Jamugurihat

If a state or a place is good from many types of culture, Historical background, transportation, communication or like any other ways. But there are also have some minor or major problem. As same way Jamugurihat have also some problem. In that problem the flood is the main major problem. More than 10 villages of Jamugurihat victims of the 2012 floods, like Panpur, Gamiripal, Panchigaon, Talakabari,Maranakuri,Chamdhora and other of some villages which is situated near the side bank of Brahmaputra and Jia Bharali River. This time around, the floods and erosion turned violent after breaching about 600 meters of Biswanath-Panpur embankment at Solmara. Under the Biswanath Revenue Circle, there are many villages adjacent to the Biswanath-Panpur embankment which has been affected by the surging waters of the Brahmaputra during the monsoon. Sources said that under Naduar Revenue Circle, a total of 1, 43,290 peoples are affected in that flood. Who has been lost their home, Poultry, Cow and agricultural place. Which is most badly affected the business economy before the flood. Few peoples of Jamugurihat died in that flood.

Sahaj Arunudoy Kendra A pioneer institute of Jamugurihat conducting different types of G2C Services and B2C services, Computer education, Jab placement advertisement and different types of education counseling situated near A.S.T.C bus stoppage at Jamuguri U turning.