Hinduism is the dominant religion practised in the state of Assam. According to some scholars, it is home to some of the most complex and poorly understood traditions in Hinduism."Assam – the remote and hilly region in the northeast corner of India, tucked between Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar – is home to some of the most complex and poorly understood Hindu traditions of South Asia." People follow traditions belonging to Shaivism, Shaktism, Tantra, and an indigenous form of Vaishnavism called Ekasarana Dharma; taken together the practitioners constitute around 61% of the state population as per the 2011 Census. Hindus form a majority in 17 out of the 29 districts of Assam. By region, there is a significant diversity among the ethnic groups that profess the Hindu faith, traditions, and customs. As per as 2011 Census, In Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, Hindus constitute 62% of the population, the majority being ethnic Assamese. In the autonomous Bodoland region of Assam, Hindus constitute 71.3% of the region's population, most being of the Bodo tribe. In the Barak Valley region of southern Assam, Hindus constitute 50% of the region's population, most being ethnic Bengalis. The Hill Tribes of Assam, particularly the Karbi people of Karbi Anglong and Dimasa people of Dima Hasao, are mainly Animists.
History Most of the Hindus in Assam belongs to the Ekasarna sect of Vaishnavism which is the dominant faith of the region since its formation from 15th–16th century in Brahmaputra valley, Assam. The Ahom kings during their 600 yrs rule in Assam, have increasingly patronizing Hinduism alongside the proselytizing activities of Ekasarana Dharma since the 16th-century—a large section of the Bodo-Kachari peoples converted to different forms of Hinduism in the 17th–18th century and a composite Assamese consisting of caste-Hindus, tribals began to form. Suhungmung, was the first Ahom king who have converted into Hinduism and adopt a Hindu title, Swarganarayana during that medieval period of ahom rule. But some sources also argue that Jayadhwaj Singha was the first Ahom king who have formally accepted Hinduism. Rudra Singha was the first who announced publicly of his inclination towards Hinduism and consequently later on he became a disciple of a Hindu Brahman priest.Changing Status of the Ahom Priestly Class (PDF) The historical roots of the Hindu religion in Assam dates back to at least 4th–7th centuries when Varman dynasty were ruling in the region. Vedic sacrifices such as the Ashvamedha and other Brahmanical rites and rituals were prevalent in this region during that period. The form of Hinduism that developed in the Assam region has long been a complex negotiation link between Vedic traditions with indigenous folk practices and beliefs. Before the arrival of Hindu religion in the fertile valley of Brahmaputra, Majority of ethnic Assamese people practiced an indigenous religion known as Ahom religion, followed by Bodo people who professed Bathouism and various ethnic tribals like Karbi, Dimasa, Mising and Rabha were practitioners of Animism prior to the coming of Hinduism in the valley.Assam (.gov) https://assam.gov.in › filesPDF GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM INDIGENOUS AND TRIBAL FAITH ...
The Vaishnavism which is a prominent sect of Hinduism in Assam do not believe in idol worship and perform "Naamkirtan", where the glory of formless Lord Vishnu is recited and chanted. There are two important cultural and religious institutions that influence the religious fabric of Assam: the "Satras", is a site of religious and cultural practice and the "Namghar", the house of prayers where religious people meet and pray together as a community.
Festivals Bohag bihu
The first day of Bohag bihu is called "Goru Bihu". Goru means cow. The first day is the bihu of cows and buffaloes. Goru bihu is related to the agricultural roots of Assam in rural areas. The day is dedicated to caring and upkeep of cattle (the wealth generator of farmers). Cows (sacred animal in Hinduism) are bathed and smeared with turmeric and pulses near pond, and are worshiped as part of the festivities by Assamese Hindu agriculturalists throughout Assam.
Ambubachi Mela
During Ambubachi Mela, hindu sages from all over India assemble in the temple to get blessings of Maa Kamakhya and uplift their knowledge Tantra Sadhana, which is known by the local name of "Tantra Mantra". Kamakhya is centre of Tantric worship.
Bathou puja (worship)
Bathow Puja is an important religious festival of the Bodo-Kacharies of Assam, India. In this festival, indigenous bodo people worship a god known by different names like Gila Damra, Khuria Bwrai, Sri Brai (Shib bwrai), Bathow Bwrai etc. Among these festivals, Kherai is the most significant and important.xajzkjdx.cn https://www.xajzkjdx.cn › 95...PDF BATHOU: OLDEST RELIGION OF THE BODO COMMUNITY
Temples Hajo
Hajo is a historic town set in the hills northwest of Guwahati, Assam, India. It is a sacred place for Hindus as a pilgrimage site. To the Hindus of Assam and world over, the Manikut Parbat of Hajo is the site of the 10th-century temple ruins and the 11th- to 16th-century temples complex for Vaishnavism as well as shrines of Shaivism and Shaktism.
Navagraha Temple
Navagraha temple are an important pilgrimage sites devoted to Navagraha—the nine (nava) major celestial bodies (Grahas) meaning planets of Hindu astronomy. The temple is made up of stones. These celestial bodies are named Surya means (Sun), Chandra means (Moon), Mangala means (Mars), Budha means (Mercury), Brihaspati means (Jupiter), Shukra means (Venus), Shani means (Saturn), Rahu means (North Lunar Node) and Ketu means (South Lunar Node). Many temples in Southern parts of India contain a shrine dedicated to the Navagrahas (nine planets). However, the term Navagraha temples refers to a cluster of nine separate temples, each an abode of one of the Navagrahas.
Basistha temple
Basistha Temple is located in the south-east corner of Guwahati city, Assam and is a Shaiva mandir. The history of the Basistha Ashram where the temple is located dates back to the Vedic age. According to legend the ashram was founded by the great saint Basistha muni (Vasishtha). Temple in the ashram stands on the bank of the mountain streams originating from the hills of Meghalaya, which becomes the rivers Basistha and Bahini/Bharalu flowing throughout the city.
Umananda temple
"Umananda" the smallest river island is located in the midst of river Brahmaputra flowing through the city of Guwahati in Assam. The British named the island Peacock Island for its structure. This temple is dedicated to Hindu deity Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva created the island for his wife Parvati's happiness and pleasure. Shiva is said to have resided here in the form of Bhayananda. According to a myth in Kalika Purana, Shiva burnt Kamadeva with his third eye on Umananda when he interrupted Shiva's deep meditation, hence the Island is also known as Bhasmachal. Maha Shivaratri is widely celebrated in Umananda. Monday is considered to be the holiest day in the temple and the new moon brings bliss to the hindu pilgrims.
Sukreshwar mandir
The Sukreswar Temple is an important Shiva temple which was built in 1744 year by Ahom King Pramatta Singha. Leading down from the temple compound is a long flight of steps to the Brahmaputra River from where one can view the picturesque Umananda Island temple, the smallest river Island in the world. The temple is located on the Sukreswar or Itakhuli hill on the south bank of river Brahmaputra in the Panbazar locality of Guwahati city.
Dirgeshwari temple
Dirgheswari Mandir is a temple situated in the northern banks of the river Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam. Many ancient images depicting Hindu deities made on rocks existed along with the temple. Brick temple were made by Ahom king Swargadeo Siva Singha, Dirgheswari temple is considered as a Shakta pitha for Shakti Worship. The main attraction of Dirgheswari temple is the annual Durga Puja celebrations, in which hindu devotees from far of places come to attend.
Demography + Assam Hindu population (1901–2011) Year State population Hindu Population Percentage 1901 3,289,680 2,781,424 84.55 1911 3,848,617 3,201,664 83.19 1921 4,636,980 3,726,277 80.36 1931 5,560,371 4,214,761 75.8 1941 6,694,790 4,131,355 74.3 1951 8,028,856 5,682,824 70.78 1961 10,837,329 7,731,350 71.34 1971 14,625,152 10,604,697 72.51 1981 18,041,248 12,578,358 69.72 1991 22,414,322 15,048,975 67.14 2001 26,655,528 17,296,772 64.89 2011 31,205,576 19,180,759 61.47 A part of Hinduism's percentage decline in Assam is due to lower fertility rates compared to the Muslim population and illegal immigration of Bangladeshis in Assam since from the late 1900s. Assam's total fertility rate is 1.9 according to NFHS-5. The rate is below the replacement rate of 2.1. In NFHS-3, which was conducted in 2005–06, Hindus in Assam had fertility rates of 1.95 respectively. By 2019–20, NFHS-5 showed Hindu fertility rate have fallen to 1.6.
Population by district (2011 year)
Below is a breakdown of the Hindu population by district in the Indian state of Assam according to the 2011 Census of India.2011 Census Data: Assam . Hindus are majority in 18 districts out of 29 in Assam.
District Total population Hindu population Percentage Baksa 950,075 782,901 82.4% Barpeta 1,693,622 492,966 29.11% Bongaigaon 738,804 359,145 48.61% Cachar 1,736,617 1,038,985 59.83% Chirang 482,162 320,647 66.50% Darrang 928,500 327,322 35.25% Dhemaji 686,133 655,052 95.47% Dhubri 1,949,258 388,380 19.92% Dibrugarh 1,326,335 1,198,401 90.35% Dima Hasao 214,102 143,593 67.07% Goalpara 1,008,183 347,878 34.51% Golaghat 1,066,888 917,426 85.99% Hailakandi 659,296 251,194 38.1% Jorhat 1,092,256 1,008,219 92.31% Kamrup 1,517,542 877,495 57.82% Kamrup Metropolitan 1,253,938 1,064,412 84.89% Karbi Anglong 956,313 766,000 80.1% Karimganj 1,228,686 521,962 42.48% Kokrajhar 887,142 529,068 59.64% Lakhimpur 1,042,137 797,130 76.49% Morigaon 957,423 451,882 47.2% Nagaon 2,823,768 1,225,246 43.39% Nalbari 771,639 491,582 63.71% Sivasagar 1,151,050 1,007,277 87.51% Sonitpur 1,924,110 1,422,824 73.95% Tinsukia 1,327,929 1,181,347 88.96% Udalguri 831,668 612,425 73.64% Hojai 931,218 424,065 45.53% South Salmara district 249,508 4,589 1.84% Assam (Total) 31,205,576 19,180,759 61.47%
Conflict and Tensions Tensions against Hindu Marwaris
32 local groups in Assam are demanding protection of Assamese rights, seeking to preserve the state's culture and interests. Loud music during Hindu festivals like Holi and BolBom (Bolbam Dham) has been requested to be stopped by the demonstrators, targeting the non-Assamese community and also advocating for 100% job reservation for Assamese people in Dibrugarh district. The groups have also raised other demands to safeguard the rights and identity of the Assamese community.
A 17-year-old girl's alleged assault in Assam's Sivasagar sparked protests against "non-Assamese" business owners, escalating into threats from militant group ULFA(I) and a public apology from Marwari representatives kneeling down begging for forgiveness; though the deed of some particular person was generalised to the whole community. Two local Marwari businessmen have been arrested in connection with the assault, which fueled resentment against "non-Assamese" residents and business owners. A protest by 30 Assamese nationalist groups began on Monday, shutting down shops and businesses owned by "non-Assamese" residents. A meeting was held on Tuesday, led by State Cabinet Minister Ranoj Pegu, with representatives from both Assamese nationalist and Marwari groups to address the issue.
Past riots against Bengali Hindus