Namghar: Difference between revisions
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''' | A '''''namghar''''' is a place for community prayer (essentially a prayer hall) of the [[Hindu]] [[Vaishnavite]] [[Assam|Assamese]] community in north-eastern [[India]]. There is no idol worship in ''namghars''. The Vaishnavites, devotees of Lord [[Krishna]], regularly assemble in ''namghars'' to offer prayers and recite verses from holy books like ''kirtan'', ''bhagwat'', ''nam ghosa'' and others. These recitations are accompanied by rhythmic clapping and sometimes with ethnic musical instruments. On special festivals such as ''[[holi]]'' and ''[[janamashthami]]'' (birth of Lord Krishna) special religious theatrical performances, called ''[[bhaona]]'' (also spelt ''bhawana''), are organized to entertain and spread religious values in the community. Thus, a ''namghar'' plays a special role in safeguarding the religious values and culture of the Assamese people, and has become an integral part of the Assamese Hindu community. | ||
Like most religious establishments, | Like most religious establishments, ''namghars'' are run like charitable organizations and rely on donations and contributions from the public. Their maintenance is looked after by a governing body. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://www.assam.org/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=90303&page_id=50&PHPSESSID=d007e233c369513fa9a2d2603676b0aa Assam.org - The Namghar] | *[http://www.assam.org/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=90303&page_id=50&PHPSESSID=d007e233c369513fa9a2d2603676b0aa Assam.org - The Namghar] | ||
Revision as of 21:33, 23 August 2008
A namghar is a place for community prayer (essentially a prayer hall) of the Hindu Vaishnavite Assamese community in north-eastern India. There is no idol worship in namghars. The Vaishnavites, devotees of Lord Krishna, regularly assemble in namghars to offer prayers and recite verses from holy books like kirtan, bhagwat, nam ghosa and others. These recitations are accompanied by rhythmic clapping and sometimes with ethnic musical instruments. On special festivals such as holi and janamashthami (birth of Lord Krishna) special religious theatrical performances, called bhaona (also spelt bhawana), are organized to entertain and spread religious values in the community. Thus, a namghar plays a special role in safeguarding the religious values and culture of the Assamese people, and has become an integral part of the Assamese Hindu community.
Like most religious establishments, namghars are run like charitable organizations and rely on donations and contributions from the public. Their maintenance is looked after by a governing body.