Tithi of Sri Sri Madhav Dev in 2024

When is Tithi of Sri Sri Madhav Dev?

Tithi of Sri Sri Madhav Dev is a regional public holiday in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam on the 16th day in the month of Bhadra. This means it falls in August or September in the western calendar.

This holiday commemorates the death anniversary of an important 16th century Assamese saint-reformer.

History of Tithi of Sri Sri Madhav Dev

Madhabdev (1489–1596), also known as Mahapurush, is one of the most popular Vaishnava Saints in Assam. Madhabdev was an important preceptor of the Ekasara ma Dharma, famous for his loyalty to his guru, Sri Sri Srimanta Sankardev as well as his artistic brilliance.

Initially a Sakta worshipper, he was converted to Ekasara Dharma by Sri Sri Sankardev and became his most prominent disciple. He became the religious as well as the artistic successor of Sri Sri Sankardev after the latter’s death in 1568.

Srimanta Sankardev preferred Madhabdev over his two sons to carry the Vaishnavite movement forward, and Madhabdev repaid this faith in his faith by carrying forward his guru's legacy and established several satras (monasteries).

He is known particularly for his book of hymns, the am Ghosha, as well as a large selection of Borgeets. The Borgeet written by both Sankardev And Madhabdev is known as the soul song of Assam. The Ankia Nat and Jumura are some of the first Indian cultural dramas, written before Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.

The Saint passed in 1596. 

In 1528, Madhavdeva established the famous Dhekiakhowa Bornaamghar, a naamghar (prayer house)  in Jorhat district, Assam, India. He kindled an earthen lamp there, which has been continuously burning ever since and a strong contender for the longest continuously lit lamp in the world.