Barechaharia Bhaona has changed a lot in the 220 years since its inception, when Hukai Dekagiri first organised it at Raghudoloni-Pothar (paddy field) of the village Pasigaon in present day Jamugurihat of Assam in 1797. This festival is celebrated every five years on the full moon day of Chot (usually in March or April) as per the Assamese Calendar. Recently however, locals have agreed to celebrate this event on the full moon day of Fagoon (usually in February or March) to avoid conflict with the April Bordoichila ("thunderstorm"). The convergence of religion and culture has given this festival a strong fabric to survive over the years while retaining its quality of storytelling. Typically the Bhaona is a dramatization of stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas. However, in this style created by the Mahapurush Sankardev, a Vaishnavite saint is depicted with Bhakti Rasa in the form of different Raga & Tala. The main target of the saint was to unite the diverse society with the spirit of entertainment and promote the vaishnavism preached by Him.
