By Denhang Bosai  

The 285th death anniversary of His Holiness Shri Ram Aata, the third Satradhikar of the famed Merbil Chaliha Bareghar Sattra and his most revered Nocte Raja disciple who later, became a Saint himself; Narottam, at Sasoni near Naharkatia in Assam will be observed on 5th and 6th November 2024 with various programmes. A host of VVIPs including ministers and MLAs from both Assam and Tirap district will grace the mega spiritual conclave. Satradhikars and their disciples from various Sattras, chiefs and devotees from Nocte community will attend the all important programme.
It may be mentioned here that the young Aang (Raja) of undivided Borduria and Namsang villages; Lotha Khunbao who later, became popular as Narottam (supreme among men or man of highest virtue.) In pursuit of his spiritual fulfilment, Aang Lotha Khunbao renounced the worldly and material gain and left Namsang village to become a staunch disciple of Shri Ram Aata after abdicating his throne and handing over the charges to his son. This is an ample testament to the fact that the Noctes were spiritully rich even many centuries ago and were the first tribe from among Arunachal Pradesh, formerly known as NEFA, to embrace  Hinduism (Vaisnavism.) Even to this day the Assam Buranji and some Satrras in Asssm recognize the Noctes as Vaisnavites.
The legend has it that Lotha Khunbao, the Aang of undivided Namsang-Borduria first saw his Guru Shri Ram Aata in his dream and went to the Merbil Chaliha Bareghar Sattra at Sasoni to meet him. By didnt of his knowledge, discipline and spiritual yearning, Khunbao became the most favourite and reliable disciple of his Guru Shri Ram Aata. Shri Ram Aata was so impressed by Khunbao's spiritual conduct that  he named him Narottam (man of highest virtue.) There is a road at Sasoni which was constructed by Narottam. He contributed immensely towards not only the growth of the Sattra at Sasoni but also in spreading the preaching of Vaisnavite sect in the Nocte villages of undivided Tirap district. Namghars were built in Nocte villages, especially in the lower-belt and Satradhikars used to regularly visit those Namghars (temples) wherein all kinds of spiritual activities including Bhavnas were performed. The Aangs of Borduria and Namsang adopted Vaisnavism as their faith and they liberally patronized and supported the Satradhikars in running the Namghars.  Intetestingly, Shri Ram Aata and Narottam died on the same day and people saw their funeral pyres meet in the skies. So, it will not be out of place to say that Narottam was the first Nocte Saint who preached Vaisnavism and sowed the seeds of the Vaisnavite faith in Nocte areas. 
(The writer is Retired Deputy Director, IPR)

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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