The sacred complex of Billeswar Devalaya (study)
by Rajesh Kakati | 2019 | 72,486 words
This essay studies the sacred complex of Billeswar Devalaya by exploring the historical, cultural, and religious significance of this ancient shrine in Assam (northeastern India). It emphasizes how this temple, also known as Billbeshwar Devaloy, functions as a focal point of faith and tradition for the surrounding communities. The research further ...
Part 7 - Social arbitration and reconciliation
Billeswar Devalaya is a proven place for reconciliation for the local people whenever the social arbitration arises. During the time of interview done in front of the Daloi office of the Devalaya, on 07-03-2017, with a member-cum-auditor of the Billeswar Devalaya Management Committee, Shri Dilip Mena, cites an example of undesired occurrence mounting to be a communal conflict between Hindu and Muslim was settled by the interference of the Devalaya Management Committee and the standing MLA of that time, Shri N S Deka, as he is the native inhabitant of Belsor. It is just an example. There are some instances with various magnitudes with the Devalaya social history. The Devalaya has a very long and illuminated track record of resolving such matters minimizing the burden of civil administration. In any way the Devalaya exhibits the right efficacy in controlling the society from wrong doings and criminally inclined activities.
Billeswar Devalaya has been maintaining a singinificance since the time immemorial in respect of social reconciliation. Arbitration is inevitable in any society. Difference of opinions always works in the minds of people. The culmination of such differences brings arbitration. The Devalaya has a high track record in resolving such issues of arbitrary situations. From this point of view, the Devalaya campus may be considered as an epicentre of social control. Its religiousness, sacredness and the effect of the legends function to harness a determining value or capacity to give verdict which is seen to be accepted by the people without much skepticism.
Notes and References
Adhikary, G, (2008) 2nd ed., A History of the Temples of Kamrup and Their Management, Guwahati: Chandra Prakash, p-77
Chowdhry, DP, (1992), Social Welfare Administration, Delhi: Atma Ram & Sons, p-164-165
Datta, D, (1959), Sri Sri Bilweswarar Itibrittya, Mangaldoi: p-57
Gangopadhyay, DK, (1990) Revenue Administration in Assam, Govt. of Assam, p-180-187
Haloi, P, (2017), Bilweswar, Nalbari: Gowal Offset, p-11-14
Majumdar, DN, Madan, TN, (2015), An Introduction to Social Anthropology, Uttar Pradesh: Mayoor Paperbacks, p-136
Sharma, Chandan Kumar (1996). "Socio-Economic Structure and Peasant Revolt: The Case of Moamoria Upsurge in the Eighteenth Century Assam". Indian Anthropologist. 26 (2): 33–52.