Dhubri: State cultural affairs department has initiated steps to conserve a 450-year-old bell metal chariot at Ramraikuti Satra in Dhubri district, following a memorandum submitted to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma by the Heritage Conservation Society of Assam.According to sources, the department has begun the process for scientific preservation of the historic chariot. A proposal to install a full-scale replica of the chariot at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati is also under consideration.Ramraikuti Satra, located at Satrasal near the India-Bangladesh border in Dhubri district, is associated with the Vaishnavite tradition and the Srimanta Sankardeva era. The site is also linked to the marriage of Koch general Bir Chilarai, also known as Shukladhwaj, with Bhubaneswari Devi, who is described in local accounts as a relative of Srimanta Sankardeva.In its memorandum, the conservation society said a team led by its secretary (administration), Bikash Jyoti Goswami, visited Ramraikuti Satra and inspected the chariot. The team found that the chariot was in a damaged condition and required urgent scientific conservation.It also urged the state govt to create a large replica of the chariot and install it at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra to showcase the heritage associated with the Sankardeva era.Goswami, the secretary, said the society came to know that the cultural affairs department took steps to examine the demands placed before the CM .“During our visit to Ramraikuti Satra, we identified two areas that require immediate state-level intervention — scientific conservation of the chariot and wider public display of its heritage value,” the secretary said.He said the chariot was deteriorating due to lack of proper conservation. “A replica at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra will help students, researchers and tourists understand the art, culture and Vaishnavite heritage associated with the Sankardev era,” Goswami added.
Govt plans replica of the chariot at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra
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