Narayanpur, originally known as Bor-Narayanpur (great Narayanpur) is a historical place since Ahom Kingdom. Narayanpur was earlier known as Bor-Nararayanpur. It was extended up to the Kolabari region of Sonitpur district. Various history writers had different views regarding the origin of the place as well as the origin of its name. Archeologist [Raja Rammohan Rai] in this book “The background of Assamese Culture”, has described Narayanpur as a temporary capital of the Kalita King Satyanarayan. According to [J D Wade], “Narayanpur is thirty miles in length and fifteen miles in breadth. This district is situated on the bank of Pichala river and Colabari of Zokai chook.” (An Account of Assam, Page no 35) Some others have the view that Koch King Naranarayan used this place as a garrison, that’s why the name became Narayanpur. The Tai Khamtis, a tribe belonging to the great Tai race, migrated to Assam in the middle part of 18th century. They have their own script and a well developed language including innumerable literary works.^[2]

History says that Narayanpur was a part of Bor-Asom. But this place had been continuously in influence of Aryan Culture. In the prehistoric era, Narayanpur was believed to be ruled by Ban Roja.

Many ancient idles of Hindu God-Goddesses were found in the different parts of Narayanpur. It proves the existence of highly civilized society in ancient times over this region. Some notable places are Arimora village, Kachua village, Dakuwa village, Latabari village, Banpuroi village, Shimaluguri village etc.

It is the birth place of several Baishnava Gurus like Madhabdev, Haridev, Anirudhadev, Badala Padma Atta etc., Belaguri Sattra, Badala Sattra, Phulani Thaan, Bishnubalikuchi, Dahgharia Sattra, Budha Bapuchang, Maghnowa Dol, Gohaikamal Ali, Radhapukhuri, Burhaburhi Pukhuri, Rangati Pukhuri, Pichala Nadi are some of the important historical places situated at Narayanpur.

Letekupukhuri- the birth place of famous Vaishnav saint Mahapurush Madhabdev is about 15 km away from Narayanpur.^[3] Maghnowa Doul- a temple dating back to AHOM kingdom era is about 7 km away from Narayanpur in Maghnowa village. Petuwa Gosani Than, is a historical Than or place of worship during AHOM kingdom is at Dholpur, nearly 7 km away from Narayanpur. Phulani Than, a popular Namghar (Vaishnav temple of Krishna worship) is in the Narayanpur center. Popular believe is that people get their wishes fulfilled when pray in this temple.

List of Satras established by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankar Dev is about 0.5 km and 1.5 km respectively from Narayanpur.^[4] There are two big ancient ponds Radhapukhuri and Rangatipukhuri from ahom kingdom are located near Narayanpur.

Madhabdev Thaan (Leteku Pukhuri)

Madhabdev Thaan is located at the Letekupukhuri village near Borbali. It is the birthplace of Madhabdev (1489 AD). There are two big thaans adjacent to each other. Followers of both these thaans demand it to be the birthplace of Madhabdev.

The thaans have a huge collection of holy books, ancient manuscripts and cultural heritages.

Maghnoa Doul

Maghnoa Doul is located at the Phulbari village and also known as Phulbari Doul. This is situated at the East side of the Pichola River and at the bank of Maghnoa Beel. Once upon a time it was a major place of worshiping Kali (Goddess of Power) and a pilgrimage place. Several Ahom Kings are also known to have visited the place. During the Maan invasion the idol was kept hidden but was never returned to the Doul. It was established at the oresent location at Bor Kalika Thaan near Dholpur.

The Doul has a boundary wall of about 5 feet height. The main Doul is about 75 feet in height. Inside the Doul is the Bulani Ghar where the idol was used to be kept. The inside wall contains various sculptures. But due to the negligence of the Government as well as the local people, most of the idols and valuable items had been stolen already. Recently the Archeological Department has done a repairing work to the Doul.

Khamti Village and Bapuchang

In 1843, the British controlled the Khamti Revolution in Sadia and settled few Khamti people at Narayanpur. They established this Buddha temple at Barkhamti. The Khamti village will be extensively discussed in the next section of this project. Its worthwhile to mention that this village contains some the Khamtis which are only left to a few thousand in number. The people are Buddhist by religion and have a rich cultural heritage.

The religious temple of the Khamtis is called the Bapuchang. It is same as the Buddhist temple or Buddha Bihar found among the Buddhist communities around the world. It is somewhat different from the normal Khamti houses. The raised platform is made of wood and the roof is made of thresh. The outer architecture resembles to the Buddhist temples of Myanmar. Buddha idols are kept inside the Bapuchang and it is regarded as a very holy place.

Deotola

The ancient idol of the Maghnoa Doul was hidden in a pond suring the Maan invasion. The idol was later recovered from Gavoru Beel of Kherajkhat. As the idol was later established at the Bor-Kalaika Thaan, this place become known as Deotola (Deo- God, Tola- to lift). This place is at 8 KM distance from Narayanpur.

Petua-Gosani Thaan It has taken a long time for the British to take the control of the Lakhimpur region after they invaded Assam. This than was an old place of worshiping Kaali Goddess and was discovered by the British. It is located near Dholpur at Ganakdalani. The goddess of this is called Kesaikhaiti. In earlier times the Daphala people from Arunachal Pradesh used to come here for pilgrimage. Still, Durga puja is celebrated at this than regularly.

Belaguri Satra

This Satra was established in 1618 originally in Majuli Island- where the two great guru and disciples Sri Sri Sankardev and Sri Sri Madhabdev met each other for the first time. This Satra was transferred to Narayanpur and settled at Jorabari revenue village in 1947 AD. This Satra is very well known among the people of Assam. The “Chaali” dance of form is a famous traditional dance of Assam. Bodula Satra and Phulani Than

This Satra was established in Narayanpur by Badala Padma Ataa in 1636 AD who was a great follower of Mahapurush Madhabdev. It is said that Padma Ataa got the responsibility of the upper Assam under Madhabdev and established the Satra at the land of Jamadagni. Once upon a time this Satra was the center for the Baishnavism. Badala Padma Ataa was next to Sankardev and Madhabdev who took the great responsibility after the demise of these two holy figures. The Satra has a rich collection of ancient manuscripts.

The Phulani thaan was also established by Badala Atta in 1555 saka. This is an important religious place and a large no of followers visit this thaan annually.

Bishnu Balikunchi Satra

It is situated at the Dakua village, 8 KM away from Nagpur. The disciple of Kal Sanghati guru Bhabanipuria Atta, Sri Sri Anirudhadev was born at Dakua village near Narayanpur in 1553 AD. He established this Satra with the help of Bhabapuria Ataa in 1602 AD. Aniruddhadev died in this Satra. He was the holy person who turned the Moran and Motok people into Baishanivism.

Radha Pukhuri

Radhapukhuri Tank is situated at the Sawkuchi village near Narayanpur. It was constructed by the King Lakhminarayan in between 1400-1500 AD in the name of his wife ‘Radha’. Some scholars also argue that it was constructed by Queen Sarbeswari. But the construction work ended in halfway and hence it was named as Adhapukhuri (Adha means half) which eventually changed to Radhapukhuri.

Presently this tank is used for fish breeding and cultivation by the Fisheries Department, Government of Assam.

Bhatoukuchi Thaan

Bhatoukuci Thaan is located at Kathani village near Dholpur. This was established by Keshabsaran Bhatoukuchia Ataa. According to Kathagurucharit he was born in 1605 and died in 1665. This thaan is still functioning in full fledge.

Akadohia Pukhuri

This big pond is situated at the Kachua village near Dholpur. A holy Brahmin guru called Akadoshi used to live near the pond and henece this name became famous. Bhatoukuci Thaan is located at Kathani village near Dholpur. This was established by Keshabsaran Bhatoukuchia Ataa. According to Kathagurucharit he was born in 1605 and died in 1665. This thaan is still functioning in full fledge.

Gohai-Kamal Ali

The Koch Kingdom was established at the early part of 16th century. This kingdom was extended from Kortuaa River to Bornodi. Kochbihar (now in West Bengal) was made the capital of the kingdom and this road was made to fight with the Ahoms.

Ahotguri Satra

This Satra is situated at Borbali Samua Gaon. It was established by Sri Ram Ata in 1683. Most of the disciples are Brahmin. The ancient manuscript of this Satra got spoiled during the flood in 1987. At present id has a collection of manuscripts by Sankardev Thakur Ataa and Sri Ram Ataa.

Other attractions

Narayanpur is the birthplace of twelve holy gurus of Assam and hence regarded as a very holy place. It was the center of [Vaishnavism] during the era of [Madhabdev]. Apart from the religious and geographical attractions mentioned so far it has a entire gamut of other attractions which have the full potential to become a tourist destination. Some of such attractions are Govind Mandir of Nepali people, Sakrahi Thaan, Dahgharia Satra, Sialmara Satra, Dharamgarh Ashram, Homora Thaan, Deberapar Satra etc.