Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said the state government has upgraded infrastructure at 22,923 Mandirs and Namghars across Assam, describing the initiative as part of a wider effort to strengthen the state’s cultural and spiritual institutions.
In a post on the social media platform X, the Chief Minister said the government has invested Rs. 433 crore to improve facilities at these religious centres, which play a significant role in the social and cultural life of communities across the state.
He noted that temples and Namghars are not merely places of worship in Assam but also important community spaces that reflect the region’s traditions and values.
According to Sarma, the initiative seeks to preserve these institutions while ensuring they continue to serve as centres for spiritual and cultural engagement.
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Namghars — traditional community prayer halls that emerged from the Neo-Vaishnavite movement initiated by 15th-century saint and reformer Srimanta Sankardeva — remain central to the socio-religious life of the state.
Besides hosting prayer gatherings, they also function as venues for cultural programmes, community meetings and social interaction in many villages and towns.
Officials said the development work includes renovation of structures, improvement of basic amenities and support for maintenance so that these institutions can continue serving devotees and local communities effectively.
The initiative has been implemented across several districts in both rural and urban areas.
According to the government, the programme is part of broader efforts to preserve Assam’s cultural heritage while strengthening institutions that form the foundation of the state’s traditional social life.
