Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the strong cultural and spiritual bonds between Assam and Manipur, underscoring the shared Vaishnavite traditions that unite the two northeastern states. Through a video shared from Sri Sri Batadrava Than, the birthplace of saint-reformer Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev, the Chief Minister showcased the harmonious blend of Assam’s traditional ‘Khol’ and Manipur’s ‘Pung’ instruments, celebrating the cultural richness of the region.
CM Sarma expressed in Hindi that Assam and Manipur share deep-rooted Vaishnav connections, with the musical performances at Sri Sri Batadrava Than symbolizing the cultural unity of the Northeast. The Chief Minister shared a video featuring devotional acts and traditional percussion from both states at the historic religious site in Assam’s Nagaon district, emphasizing the historical and cultural ties between the regions.
The historical ties between Assam and Manipur trace back centuries, particularly influenced by the neo-Vaishnavism propagated by Srimanta Sankardev in Assam during the 15th and 16th centuries. This reformist Bhakti movement, centered on devotion to Lord Krishna and spiritual inclusiveness, left a lasting impact across the Northeast, including Manipur, shaping the cultural and religious landscape of the region.
