Religion of the people of Assam..

The ethnic communities of Mongoloid origin had their traditional religious practices. But with the coming of the non –Aryans they assimilated themselves by accepting Hinduism. Later they also accepted Vaishnava rites from the Neo- Vaishnavite movement of Srimanta Sankardeva. The Satra institution has been giving them initiation. However religion and social changes has given them better lifestyles. Besides Vaishnavism some of them have accepted other religions like Buddhism and Christianity. All these religions have given them a disciplined socio- religious life.

Religion is the most important organ of society. Society and religion are inter related. So, religion tends to change when social changes take place. On the other hand social change will occur when changes in religion take place. At present religion has become a very sensitive subject. Violence has taken a common form in the name of religion. At the same time many social ill practices, crimes etc. are happening at the daily life of people. In such a troubled society religion has to play an important role in the establishment of peace and security in a society.

Almost all the major religions of the world are practiced in Assam. Thus,it is indeed a difficult topic to discuss all of them together. Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism are the major religions of Assam. Among them, the number of Hindus is maximum followed by Muslims. Generally, there are large number of religious practices associated with Hinduism which appears in many vernacular forms in Assam. Neo- Vaishnavism religion preached by Shankardeva is one of the most popular religious traditions of Assam. The tribal groups of Assam have their own traditional religion and practices. But some of them have left its traditional religion and became the follower of neo- Vaishnavism. Some Muslims of Assam have their own customs and traditions.

The following point is very important to understand the Hindu population , “The Assamese Hindu society is one which has assimilated into itself various erstwhile tribal groups. Again many tribal groups have moved towards the Assamese Hindu fold through integration accepting the customs and traditions of non tribals.As a result, tribal features have made inroads into the Broader Assamese Hindu Society. Most section of the Hindus also came under influence of the NeoVaishnavism religion preached by Sankardeva ,a great saint scholar of Assam from 15th century.Also,many tribal people came under its influence. Also, the sanskritisation and the Hinduisation of the tribal people started from early date here.

On the other hand people should also notice the bad sides of social changes so that these may not harm the social norms and values. Since ancient period the ethnic communities of Assam have been taking new elements in the fields of religion. Indeed the religious system of the ethnic communities of Assam is an evolutionary process which has included different religious elements in different periods. The ethnic societies have been changed in the present time in new environment of human life. But the change of religion and social life should also maintain the social norms and value.

In Assam, beliefs in local deities or celestial beings ,spirits and ghosts etc existed with distinct characteristics.For example: Sat or sath,aii sabah,apeshari sabah,kanipan diya,barkhelia,subhachani puja,barsabah ,frog marriage etc The Vrata type rites and ceremonies of the Assamese Hindus. Neo vaishnavism practices. Brahmanical religion of the Brahmin Castes. Saktism:Worshipping of the goddesses or supreme female deity like Kamakhya ,etc Saivism:Belief in and praying to Shiva is very common in Assam.

All the tribal groups and the other ethnic groups of Assam has distinct religious traditions and customs.For example the Bodo community believes in a spirit called modai. The Mishings,Karbis,Tiwas,Deoris,Rabhas etc have their own religions. There are some Tribal Groups who became the follower of Neo- vaishnavism.But still they follow some of its old religions.For example:Thengal kacharis and Sonowal Kacharis. Some primitive religions also existed with distinct characteristic as ancestor and fertility worship.

There are many indigenous religious practices of all the people living in Assam.Besides,the simple folk also worship the majestic images of the Hindu Pantheon.They are conscious follower of their mythological progenitors. The simple folk of Assam believes in spirits,celestial bodies,local deities etc.All these also play a great role in their religious life. The neo- vaishnavism has played a great role in the religious life,beliefs and customs of the Assamese people. The tribal groups of the region has its own religion,customs and traditions. Social life of the Assamese people is generally dominated by religion.