Dhekiakhowa Bornaamghar is a naamghar in Jorhat district, Assam, India that was established by saint-reformer Madhavdeva. He kindled an earthen lamp there, which has been continuously burning since 1528,being religiously refuelled with mustard oil by the priests till date. It is located at Dhekiakhowa village of Jorhat district, 15 km towards the east of Jorhat city 3.5 km away from National Highway 37. It is called a Bornaamghar because of its historical association and large campus. The naamghar is situated in a complex of facilities spread over 13 bighas of land. The naamghar and other facilities are maintained by a managing committee with donations from devotees. Besides the maintenance of the complex, the managing committee sponsors various social and cultural programs. There is an anecdote after the name of Dhekiakhowa Naamghar. Guru Madhavdeva after taking up the duty of reforming people and spreading the Ekasarana Nam Dharma came to stay in this small and very poor village. He took shelter for the night at the hut of an old woman, who served him rice with Dhekia Saak. The old woman was very embarrassed to have served the Saint guru like this but he was immensely pleased by the dinner. So he started a namghar there and given the responsibility of kindling the earthen lamp to the old woman. That is why the naamghar was later known as Dhekiakhowa Naamghar. The place is inevitably named after the Naamghar itself. A lot of visitors and devotees gather in the naamghar everyday, especially during the sacred month of Bhado, for this month being the Death Anniversaries of both the gurus Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavdeva
Legend
There are many stories associated with this Bornaamghar. It is said that the main pillar of the naamghar is made of a Sal tree. One night one of the bhakats of the naamghar saw in his dream that the river near the Bornaamghar is flowing in opposite direction and is carrying a Sal tree mean to be for the construction of the Bor namghar. Next day when people saw that dream to be true, they made the main pillers of the Bornaamghar from the tree. A Vaishnavite lamp in Dhekiakhowa Bornaamghar is said to have been kept burning since 1528. This could enter itself in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest lighting lamp.
Festivals
Several festivals and sessions of special worship, besides the daily worships, are celebrated every year in certain months. These festivities are attended by lakhs of devotees - 1. Paal Naam - a month long festival of worship in the month of Bhada from mid August to mid September. 2. Srimanta Sankardeva birth anniversary during the month of Aahin from mid September to mid October. 3. Madhavdeva birth anniversary during the month of Jeth from 15 May to 15 June. 4. Bhaona Mohotsav in the month of Chot or Chaitra from 15 March to 15 April. 5. Raas lila in the month of November.
