Sattra

Structures

All structures were originally temporary, made with wood, bamboo and covered over with thatch; brick and mortar found use after the 18th century. Monks, called bhakats, live in satras under a satradhikar or Mahanta. In some orders of the religion, the bhakats are celibate (kewalia bhakat). The satradhikar may not always be of high birth, it is recorded in many instance the satradikars belonging to tribal or lower caste origin. For example, Mathuradasa Ata, the first satradhikar of Barpeta was from the Candal community, Narayanadasa Ata, a disciple of Sankardev was from the weaver community (Tanti). The Puranimati satradhikar was originally a Moran. Similarly Sesa, Katani, Budhbari, Chahila satras were held by Kaibartas although they claim to be of Kayastha origin. The satras are not merely religious institutions but play cultural and historical roles in society. A dance form that was initiated by Srimanta Sankardeva and later developed within the sattras, and thus called Sattriya, is one of the eight classical dance forms in India.