It is said that the lamp at Dhekiakhowa Bornamghor, a naamghar at Jorhat, has never been put off since 1461. This lamp which was lit by the saint Madhavadeva in 1461, and has been burning ever since, religiously re-fuelled by priests from generation to generation.

‘Naam’ in Assamese means ‘prayer’ and ‘ghar’ means ‘house’, so ‘naamghar’ literally means a ‘prayer house’. Very commonly found in Assam, naamghars have been around in Assam since the 15th century. These sacred spaces not only serve as prayer halls, but also as places for cultural activities and centres for learning.

Where: Dhekiakhowa Bornamghor, Jorhat