Namghar

Namghar is a place for community prayer of the Hindu Vaishnavite Assamese community in north-eastern India. There is no idol worship in namghars. The Vaishnavites are devotees of Lord Krishna who assemble in namghars regularly to offer prayers. They recite verses from holy books like kirtan, bhagwat, nam ghosa and others, 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, 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, namghar 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

• Assam.org - The Namghar