Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Madhupur Satra in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district on September 19 and proposed stronger cooperation between the two states to promote religious tourism. He also called for joint efforts to preserve the historic site linked to Srimanta Sankardeva.
During the visit, Sarma offered prayers and held discussions with the Satradhikar and other authorities about the preservation and development of the religious centre. He also proposed connecting Madhupur Satra with Batadrava Than in Assam, the birthplace of Sankardeva, through a religious tourism circuit.
Madhupur Satra gets fresh development push
The Assam government has already conceptualised a major project for Madhupur Satra. The state’s 2026-27 Budget speech proposed a Rs 50-crore project for its preservation and said the government would request the Centre to consider declaring the site a heritage site.
Recent reports, however, said Rs 35 crore has been allocated for development and infrastructure at the site. Sarma also sought cooperation from the West Bengal government, including land required to expand the development project.
The latest discussions indicate that preservation and infrastructure development remain central to the Assam government’s plans for the site.
Proposed Assam West Bengal tourism corridor
Sarma suggested creating a religious tourism circuit linking Madhupur Satra with Batadrava Than in Nagaon. The proposed route would highlight places associated with Sankardeva’s life, teachings and cultural legacy.
The initiative would also involve cooperation between Assam and West Bengal. Sarma proposed inviting a delegation from West Bengal to visit Batadrava Than, with the aim of strengthening the cultural connection between the two states.
The proposal is still at the stage of cooperation and planning. No formal launch of an interstate tourism corridor has been announced in the reports of the visit.
Why Madhupur Satra matters
Madhupur Satra has a long association with Assam’s Neo-Vaishnavite tradition and the legacy of Srimanta Sankardeva. West Bengal Tourism describes Madhupur Dham as a site of importance to followers of Sankardeva and traces its history to the saint’s journey to Cooch Behar.
The Cooch Behar district administration also records Madhupur Dham among the district’s religious tourism destinations. It notes that the site has remained a pilgrimage destination for Vaishnavite followers, including visitors from Assam.
Therefore, the proposed circuit would build on an existing religious and cultural connection rather than create a completely new tourism relationship.
Preservation and tourism could move together
The development plan places heritage preservation alongside tourism promotion. Assam has previously used religious tourism initiatives to facilitate pilgrim visits to important sites, including Madhupur Satra and other religious destinations outside the state.
Moreover, the Assam government has increasingly highlighted the preservation of satras as part of its cultural policy. The 2026-27 Budget also proposed a dedicated Sattra Preservation and Development Board to protect and develop sattra institutions.
For Madhupur Satra, improved infrastructure could support pilgrims and visitors while helping protect its historical character. Any expansion, however, would require coordination with local authorities and the West Bengal government.
Sankardeva legacy at the centre
The proposed corridor places Sankardeva’s legacy at the heart of closer tourism cooperation between Assam and West Bengal. Batadrava Than represents his birthplace, while Madhupur Satra represents an important site associated with his later years and the spread of his religious movement.
Sarma’s September 19 visit has therefore brought renewed attention to the cultural links between the neighbouring states. If the proposed circuit moves forward, its focus is expected to combine pilgrimage, heritage preservation and cultural tourism.
For now, the proposal remains an initiative for further coordination. Its implementation will depend on decisions by the governments of Assam and West Bengal, along with planning for land, infrastructure, visitor facilities and heritage conservation.
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