Reviving the Historic Ma-Mahamaya Tank in Gauripur
The Decline of a Historical Landmark
File image of historic Ma-Mahamaya tank at Gauripur, Dhubri (Photo: AT)
Gauripur, Sept 29: The Ma-Mahamaya tank, a historic site located in the heart of Gauripur, spans 10 bighas and was excavated under the guidance of Raja Prabhat Chandra Barua two centuries ago. Unfortunately, this once-glorious landmark is now suffering from neglect, primarily due to the inaction of the managing committee of the Ma-Mahamaya temple and local representatives from the Gauripur LAC and Dhubri Parliamentary Constituency.
After the tank's excavation, Prabhat Chandra Barua constructed a grand staircase to facilitate water collection for worshipping the Mother Goddess Ma-Mahamaya, who resides near the royal family's home. He also planted various trees, including Debdaru, Krishnachura, and Radhachura, along the western edge of the tank to enhance the experience for devotees. The tank was once teeming with fish, and during Magh Bihu, the Raja would catch the largest fish to present to the adhyaksha, adhyapaks, and students of the renowned Sanskrit Tol Tarinipriya Chatuspathy, founded in 1834.
However, following the abolition of the Zamindari system in 1957, the royal estate's successors neglected the management of the Mahamaya complex, leading to its deterioration. A seven-member managing committee was formed by the then Deputy Commissioner of Goalpara, which included three royal family members, three public representatives, and the estate manager, with the Deputy Commissioner as president. Unfortunately, internal divisions among the Zaminders resulted in continued neglect of the historic tank.
In 1987, recognizing the urgent need for intervention, the late Narendra Nath Goswami, then DFO of the Social Forestry Division in Dhubri, planted several valuable saplings along the tank's banks. Regrettably, in 1995-96, the Gauripur Town Committee indiscriminately cut down trees on the eastern bank under the pretext of constructing stairs.
Residents from all backgrounds are now appealing to the Assam government for funding to restore the tank's former glory. They propose the development of infrastructure similar to that of Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati, complete with modern amenities like boating, to transform the area into a tourist attraction for visitors from both India and abroad.
Written by Ambu Nath Sharma