Origin and Development of Satra and Its Relation to Neighbouring Village : A Sociological Study

Satras are the life line for the people of Assamese Society .It has distinctive religious, cultural pattern and way of life. The Satra institutions are the product of neo-vaishnavite movement propagated by great Saint Srimanta Sankardeva in Assam. The Satras are not just monasteries, but centre of traditional performing arts. In 15 century the first Satra was founded in Borduwa, Nagaon district of Assam. Majuli is considered as a hub of satra intuition. The Study was conducted in Auniati Satra of Majuli. Among the Satra institution of Assam, the Auniati Satra is one of the most Significant as per history and culture of the region is concerns.Any religious institution can’t Survive without support of the local communities. The paper is attempt to examine the socio- economic and cultural relation of satra with neighboring villages .The methodology followed in the paper is both qualitative and quantitative. The study reveals that in monastic Satra, all the Bhakats and Satradhikars are celibacy in nature. So, monastic satra are closely interdependent with neighboring villages in the field of economic activity, religious and cultural celebration and some other social activity. The study of relation between Satra and its neighbouring villages is important for understanding influences and interdependent nature of any religious institution to its society.