Samaguri Satra and Mask-making Centre

Samaguri Satra and Mask-making Centre is a Vaishnavite monastery on Majuli Island, Assam, renowned as the principal centre for traditional Bhaona mask-making. Established in the 17th century in the Ekasarana Dharma tradition of Srimanta Sankardev, it preserves handcrafted masks made from bamboo, clay, dung and natural colours used in devotional theatre. The satra is noted for its living craft heritage and monastic cultural practices.

Visitors can expect a traditional satra complex with prayer halls, artisan workshops and display areas for handcrafted masks. Artisans can be seen crafting large and small masks depicting mythological characters used in Bhaona and Ankiya Naat performances. The setting is rural and tranquil on Majuli Island, with bamboo and thatch structures, open courtyards, and opportunities to observe demonstrations, interact with craftsmen, and view finished masks and cultural artefacts.

Samaguri Satra was established in 1663 during the Ahom period and is associated with the Ekasarana Dharma movement founded by Srimanta Sankardev. It is one of the prominent satras of Majuli that has preserved the tradition of mask-making for Bhaona devotional theatre for centuries, with knowledge transmitted through generations of artisans.

The satra is a major centre of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture and is internationally known for its Bhaona masks used in Ankiya Naat performances. The craft uses natural materials and traditional techniques and is considered a living heritage of Assam. The masks represent characters from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas and are integral to religious and cultural performances.