PAPER-

Submitted to Faculty – Dr. N. N. shArma

Submitted By
RAJESH KR. SHAH (56/D/2009)
REEMA DEY (57/D/2009)
RESMHI HAFLONGBAR (58/D/2009)
RHITOM DUTTA (59/D/2009)
RITCHA DAS (60/D/2009)
PGDBM 2nd YEAR

ASSAM INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT.

(A Government of Assam Society)
Guwahati-21

Date: 17 July, 2010

SATRA: Satras are the unique features of Vaishnavism in Assam. Satras in Assam are basically monasteries
The Satra, or Vaisnavite Monastery, is an
which were established to propagate neo Vaishnavism
institution which was established by Sankaradeva and Madhavadeva. Over the
centuries, it has become intimately connected with the Assamese life and culture.
From Majuli to Koch Behar, the Satra dominates the social landscape of Assam and
the entire state is integrated into one religious whole by this network of Satras.
Today, the number of Satras in Assam is well over five hundred with numerous
Vaisnava householders affiliated to one or the other Satra. The preservation of the
Satras is a matter of great importance, more so in the light of the fact that they
contain manuscripts, artifacts and antiques of immense historical value as well.

To create an atmosphere where single-minded devotion to God based on a

fellowship of devotees or Bhakats under the guidance of a Guru or teacher could be
achieved, the Satra institution was brought into existence and it became a well
organized and a popular institution within a century of its inception. In fact, the
most distinguishing feature of Assamese Neo-Vaishnavism is the network of
decentralized monasteries – the Satra, literally meaning “holy areas” each headed
by a Guru (teacher) designated as the Satrādhikār.

SOURCE OF FUNDS:- Satra basically derives its fund from the following heads-

 Contribution by Disciples

 Revenue from the land

 Donations from Devotees

SWOT ANALYSIS OF SATRA
STRENGTH WEAKNESS
 Nurturing the cultural beliefs of  Shortage of funds.
Vaishnavism.  Limited only to specified segment of
 large number of devotees people
 The Satras of Assam also became  Less awareness
centers for education and dissemination
of all kinds of art of harmonious living.
 Satras motivates the minds of the
people through ritual performances to
realize the existence of God.
 Centre of art and culture in Assam.
 The treasure house of "Bongeet"
Matiakhara, satriya dances
(Jumora Dance, Chali Dance,
Notua Dance, Nande Vringee,
Sutradhar, Ozapali, Apsara Dance,
Satria Krishna Dance and
Dasavater Dance)
OPPURTUNITIES THREATS
 Anxiety redressal, yogic pursuits,  Cinema attracting youths
ayurvedic treatment.  Influence of western culture
 International recognisation of satriya  Due to devastation of flood and erosion,
dance. many satras had to be transferred to
 Can be developed as pilgrimage safer place deterioting their quality
 Change in attitude, taste and preference
of people.

Achievements of Satra

Future plans
Organizational structure

• Adhikar - The head of a Satra

• Deka - Adhikar - Deputy Adhikar

• Bhakat - Devotees staying inside the Satra premises

• Sisya - Lay disciples

Measures to make satra relevant in the new age:-

 Fund is the main problem of Satra. So Satra should try to acquire fund from both national
and international source.

 Satra should follow the strategy of STP (segmenting, targeting and positioning). This will
help them to get the clear picture about their goals and objectives and group of people
they want to serve.

 Satra should take up activities like Rickshaw bank in

 Satra should establish its brand image through various activities.

 It should encourage its Anxiety redressal, yogic pursuits, ayurvedic treatment since these
sectors are growing at a very fast rate.

 Satras should undertake publicity programmes in the towns and other public places in
order to generate awareness like the Satriya dance ,etc among the people.

 Satra should make the extensive use of technologies like websites,etc in order to create
awareness among the people about their activities.

 Satra should try to take measures in order to create an impact among the youth people.