Initiatives taken to make confluence of three rivers in Lakhimpur a heritage site

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: The existence of several perennial rivers has glorified the social and ethno-cultural life of Lakhimpur, though the flood fury caused by these rivers affect the normal life of the riverine people during the rainy season of the year. So, people can never dislike the rivers and feel the bliss of nature with their serene co-existence.

Of these rivers, the Ranganadi, Joyhingnadi and the Dhekianadi have brought a new ray of hope for the tourism industry of the district of late. It happened with the discovery of the Purana narrated holy ‘Triveni Sangam’- the confluence of three rivers- Ranganadi, Joyhingnadi and Dhekianadi. The Ranganadi is mentioned as Rakta Ganga while the Dhekianadi is narrated as the Mohi Nadi in the Puranas. The three rivers, originating in the Arunachal hills, unify at a beautiful landscape in the north of North Lakhimpur town at a 10-km long distance. This confluence is narrated as a holy place in the Kumarika canto of the Skanda Purana, one of the masterpieces of the 18 Puranas of the Hindu classics. This ignored episode was not only unknown to the people of the State but also to the people of the district till the priest of North Lakhimpur Durga Mandir, Ranganath Chaturbedi informed it to the Mandir Management Committee after a delving thought and due search some days ago.

In the mentioned Purana, the confluence of these three rivers, along with the Akashee Ganga of Likabali in Dhemaji district, is narrated to be as holy as the ‘Triveni Sangam’ of Ganga-Jamuna-Saraswati of Prayag in Uttarakhand.

The Adivasis and other local people have believed the place to be a holy place and have been worshipping here and taking a holy bath since many years, christening the confluence as ‘Lakshmi Do’. As per the Purana, the worship of Lord Shiva for salvation is related to this place through the story of Kumarika who was freed from a curse after taking bath in the holy confluence.

At present, a galaxy of eminent people of the district has taken initiatives to make the place a heritage site and a place of worship. As part of such initiatives, the inaugural event was organized on Sunday by performing ‘Rudra Abhisek’. It was organized by the convener committee of Triveni Sangam Punaruddhar Committee, led by Lakhi Gogoi and Ripen Gogoi. Following the religious rituals, Rudra Abhisek was performed by installing 1.25 lakh Shiv Lingas by 11 priests.

25-foot tall trident was also established in the place in the presence of people. The conveners said that no stone would be left unturned to turn the place into one of the notable holy places and tourist sites of the country.

Also read: Heritage Walk to discover legacy of Dhubri town conducted by India Heritage Walks