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Study is specifically meant for the Billeswar Devalaya and its related folkloristic activities and establishing it as a sacred complex. There are lots of books on the folk literature and folk activities. But, as our subject of study is a localized one, there is a dearth of literature. Those are in existence, except a few numbers of books, the remaining cannot be treated as the vibrant secondary sources. These require sincere scrutiny and comparative study with the primary sources for the authentication of the data. But, obviously, these locally produced books or booklets written by the local people cannot be ignored anyhow. These are collected and tried to be properly evaluated and assessed. These essentially have led me to the way for deeper study making a passage towards core part of the whole study.

A good quantity of literature, documents, written records are involved with the Billeswar Devalaya which are collected and examined for reaching at our goal of research. Usually, the literary works are created by the erudite people employing their knowledge, experience, observation, synthesis of logic etc. There are various types of literature e.g. written on Sachipat, metal-plate, scriptural, oral, are of paramount importance in understanding the actual stature of the Billeswar Devalaya. This Devalaya has already crossed over, at least, fifteen hundred years since its erection and visited by many explorers, scholars, kings, princes, royal personalities including Hiuen Tsang, the great Chinese traveler during the regime of King Kumar Vaskar Varma. The locally published magazines, books, pamphlets etc are of immense value in justifying the real position of Billeswar Devalaya through the ages amongst the people constituting a vast society as a whole. Some kinds of literature or literary materials directly support our effort to continue the study. As for example, we may cite the book: Lord Shiva and Sri Sri Sri Billeswara Maharudra by Dr. S K Phukan; Billeswar Devalayar Itibritta by Late Dandiram Dutta, an exponent of Kaitheli Ganit; Billashri, souvenir, published by Axom Sahitya Sabha on the occasion of special session of Axom Sahitya Sabha in 2006; Punnya Bhumi Asom, by Sri Nabajyoti Dev Choudhury; Belsorar Dastabej, a book consisting many valuable historical articles edited by Prakash Medhi & Arup Ranjan Barman. Of course, these texts don鈥檛 bear the potentiality favour in my research work; but it is doubtless that it opens many doors to peep into the grave things and encourage the realization of intangibility of the Devalaya.

It is needless to say that the review of the oral literature is of great importance. Because the whole existential stance of Billeswar Devalaya relies on the dissemination of faiths, beliefs in the form of folktales, legends, mythological story etc. These are basically spread out with the help of performing folk arts like-Ojapali, Naam Prasanga, Nagara Naam, Bhaira and any other forms of folk arts. Review of these oral literatures fosters the true understanding of the significance of the Devalaya how it is treated by the folk people through ages.

The review of literature is given due importance with a view to divulging actual facts relating the stature and sacredness of the Billeswar Devalaya. Already, a good number of books and other written literature have been collected for carrying on the study with a considerable care. This fact obviously is reflected in the bibliography presented herewith.

The study is undertaken to focus all the folkloristic aspects of the Devalaya and to present how it maintains its social stance as a platform for the people belonging to the different strata of the society by collaborating itself with folkloristic activities. The people involved with the Devalaya are thought to be folk people in accordance with the modern connotation of the term. They are used to worship their favorite deities in the complex of the Billeswar Devalaya.

As a social science research, it is based on primary as well as secondary data collected from different sources. A list of the most relevant books referred as secondary sources of information is listed below:

i) A History of Assam by Sir Edward Gait (reprint 2013);
ii) Axomor Loko Sahitya by Dr Nabinchandra Sarma (2014);
iii) Folklore and Folklife: An Introduction by Richard M Dorson (1972);
iv) A History of the Temples of Kamrup and Their Management by Gajendra Adhikary (2008);
v) Pabitra Axom edited by Maheshwar Neog(1991);
vi) Cultural Contour of North East India by Birendranath Dutta(2012);
vii) Sri Sri Bilweswarar Itibritya by Dandi Ram Dutta(1959);
viii) Lord Shiva and Sri Sri Bilveswara Maharudra by Sarat Kumar Phukan (2004);
ix) Kamrupiya Dhuliya by Dhiren Bharali (1994);
x) The Billeswar Temple Under the Royal patronage by Prasanna Kr. Bharali (2018);
xi) Bilweswar by Prabhat Haloi (2017);
xii) Shri Shri Billeswar Devalaya by Nilkamal Mishra (2006);
xiii) The Blessed Land by Dr Prabin Chandra Das (1999);
xiv) The Mother Goddess Kamakhya by Dr Banikanta Kakati (2004);
xv) Ballads and Tales of Assam, Praphulladatta Goswami (1970);
xvi) A Handbook of Folklore Material of Northeast India, Birendranath Datta, Nabin Chandra Sarma by Prabin Chandra Das (1994);
xvii) Bharatar Uttar Purbanchalr Paribeshya Kala by Dr. Nabin Chandra Sarma (2013);
xviii) The Dynamics of Folklore by Barre Toelken (1979);
xix) Assam: A Gepgraphical Profile byDr M Taher, P Ahmed (2016);
xx) Axomor Loko Sankasriti by Dr, Birinchi Kumar Baruah (2015);
xxi) Purani Kamrupar Dharmar Dhara by Dr Banikanta Kakati (2012);
xxii) Loka Utshav, Dr Pramod Bhandra Bhattacharjya (2013);
xxiii) Surya, Dr. Nirmalprabha Bordoloi (2008);
xxiv) Baratar Sadhu by Niharika Goswami (2006);
xxv) Prasin Bilweswarar Gatidhara by Narendranath Haloi (2015);
xxvi) Prasya Sashanwali by Dr Maheshwar Neog (2008);

Despite the geographical accessibility of the Billeswar Devalaya to other areas of Assam, it is still a remote shrine from historical or academic sense. There are lots of literatures about the Shaivaite culture, Shakti Pith, Hiduism, Vaishnavism, which are contributed by some eminent scholars. Even, a pile of books are available in Assamese and English about the folk elements, folkloristic study. Such eminent personalities are: Prafulladatta Goswami, Nabin Ch. Sarma, Birendranath Datta, Prabin Ch Das, Jogesh Das, Harinath Sarma Daloi, Shashi Sarma, Birinchi Kr Baruah, Niramalprabha Bardoloi, Lila Gogoi, Jatindra Kr Bargaohain, Pramod Ch Bhattacharjya, Nabakanta Barua, Banikanta Kakati, Prabin Ch. Das, Nabajyoti Dev Sarma etc.

The panel of scholars has contributed a lot to the field of folklore of Assam along with North-East. The question of North-East comes naturally; because though it is politically demarcated, however, culturally still is being integrated. So, the cultural study and folkloristic study encircle every territory of North-East region. Despite the variation, the similar cultural thread still exists. In true sense, it is being perpetuating.

The geography of ancient Kamrup covered a vast area of different parts of Nort-East region including parts or West Bengal and Bihar. The cultural set-up of Assam has a resemblance with the areas of these areas which were the original parts of ancient Kamrup. Due to the aggression of science and technology and the intensive use of media and social sites; the society has been rapidly being changed. Even the rural society has started to break the fragility of the rural society with a rapid pace. Nevertheless, the people of the society have not kept detached from the folkways of life as the basic human instincts remain same.

The following books and magazines are found to be useful in penetrating the core of the subject of research 鈥淭he Sacred Complex of Billeswar Devalaya: A Folkloristic Study鈥�. The study comprises two primary points. They are: the justification of Billeswar Devalaya as Sacred Complex. The next one is to highlight the folklore elements and the related aspects of Billeswar Devalaya in a systematic way.

A small number of books providing guidance in my research have been described in the following section:

i) Folklore and Folklife-An Introduction edited by Richard M Dorson:

This book has been instrumental in understanding the basic concepts of 鈥楩olklore鈥� as it is replete with articles contributed by eminent scholars focusing different domains of Folklore. The subject of the book ranges from 鈥楩olk-Narrative to Folk Costume鈥�. The preface and the introduction under the heading: Concepts of Folklore and Folklife Studies written by the editor himself. Forestep of research activity in the field of folklore like others is the understanding of the basic concepts. This book is highly illustrative on the various subjects of folklore.

ii) Lord Shiva and Shir Shri Shri Bilveswar Maharudra by Dr. Sarat Kumar Phukan

This book outlines the history of Shaivite culture of the country with a view to highlight the issues of Billeswar Devalaya. Two chapters of the book: Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 illustrated the features of the Devalaya. Though the concept of the book has not touched all the issues particularly the folkloristic aspects; however this book is found to be instrumental to know the Billeswar Devalaya. Because this book is the first elaborate book narrating the various aspects of the Devalaya.

iii) Essays on the Folkore of North Eastern India by Dr N C Sarma

This book contains three relevant chapters for the study. The chapters are:

a) Tradition and Inovation of the Vyasa Sangita of Assam (3^rd Chapter)
b) Festivals of Assam (5^th Chapter)
c) Shamatic Dance associated with the worship of the Snake Goddess Manasa (4^th Chapter). The book is replete with many definitions of the folklore materials.

iv) Asamar Loka Sahitya by Nabin Ch Sarma

This book is highly illustrative of almost all folklore materials. Truly it is a critical study on Folk Literature of Assam. The second chapter is highly useful for the study perused by me. This chapter helps in comprehending the various connotation of folklore. Different thought and definitions propounded by the eminent scholars of the world are presented in a lucid language. As the subject matter of the study is folkloristic鈥搕his chapter opens the mind for relevant contents.

It comprises the classification of folklore materials as a whole. Besides the general discussion鈥搕he elements available in Assamese folk society are clearly discussed. The 3^rd chapter also presents various theoretical interpretations and examples are presented. The entire book is of high value for conducting the study.

v) Suryya by Nirmalprabha Bardoloi(2^nd Edition,2008)

The book is critical study of the Sun cult with reference to pan-india perspective written by Dr Nirmalprabha Bardoloi. The chapter: Asom (p-98-120) illustrated the historicity of ancient Assam and its geography in the classic-Kalika Puran and Yogini Tantra. In this chapter, the author narrates the tradition of astrology of ancient Assam. She says about the legacy of astrology -how it is being maintained by the village of Gandhiya of Nalbari District. Page 110 of this book describes that Nagakhya鈥搑uler of Kamrup brought a Brahmin named Bhimsen as Tithikar and Bardeuri to Billeswar Devalaya at Belsor (Gandhiya). This book is found to be helpful in understanding the history of Gandhiya which has a functional linkage with Billeswar Devalaya.

vi) Baratar Sadhu Aru Sri Krishnar Pachati Utsav: Katha Aru Naam by Niharika Goswami

This book narrated the Baratar Sadhu told by the experienced people previously told by a Bardeuri of the Devalaya. Subsequently, the tradition of telling Baratar Sadhu was replaced by an old woman-the mother of present Daloi-Ranjit Mishra for the last twenty years till date.

vii) Billeswar Devalaya -Adi Katha by Prabhat Haloi: 1998

The Book contains sixteen pages. All the contents of the book is in poetic form narrating different aspects of the Devalaya.

viii) Ballads and Tales of Assam by Prafulla Datta Goswami, 1970

AR Wright defined folklore as the science which studies the expression, in popular beliefs, institutions, practices, oral literature and art was and pastime of the mental and spiritual life of the folk, the people in general in every stage of barbarism and culture

ix) Essays on North Indian Folk Traditions by Susan S Wadley

Music in any community is basically non-discursive; it does not predicate or make arguments. While music may be seen as communicating very significant messages, the ways in which meaningful work is accomplished are quite different from those involved in language-based notion of reference and usually depend heavily on the music鈥檚 formal characteristics.

x) Folk Traditions 2005, Chronicle Books, New Delhi

The relationships among human and supernatural鈥檚 are a continuing theme in discussions of Hindu religions practice. The types of communication which are believed to exist between human and god are one aspect of man-god relationships

xi) Nalbari Zilar Bhasik Aru Sanskritik Baichitra, 2013 by Gita Barman

The book is based on socio-linguistic and cultural study of Nalbari Distirct. The relevance of the book is justified. The entire book provides lots of information about the socio-cultural & linguistic issues. The site of my study belongs to the west part of Nalbari district. Especially, the 8^th chapter of this book: Nalbari Zilar Ritukalin UtsavLokachar is replete with important information those are relevant to my study.

xii) Punyabhumi Axom, 2013 by Nabajyoti Dev Choudhury

This book is just like a literary archive of various religionus sites of Assam narrated district wise. The special feature of the book is that it possesses uo-to-date information. The religious institutions of Nalbari district are described seperatley in the pages ofro 93-116. The entire contents narrating the religious sites have immensely helped to understand the sacred geography of Billeswar Devalaya. 

xiii) Loka Sanskritir Kohe Kohe, 2011, Jadav Sen Deka

The chapters included in this book describes some religious & ritualistic occasions which are observed namely -Axomar Prachin Balidan Pratha, page 92 has intended to outline about the tradition of 鈥�animal 蝉补肠谤颈蹿颈肠别蝉鈥�.

xiv) Culture Change in India, 2008, reprinted, Yogendra Singh

The book contains Chapter 5: Myth, History and reason: Culture and nation Bulding and Chapter 01: Significance of Culture in the Understanding of Social Change in Contemporary India. Both the chapters have added some new ideas in dealing my subject of study.

xv) The Dynamics of Folklore, 1979, Toleken

The book plays a pivotal role in understanding the various folklore items dealt with in my thesis. Especially the chapter 09: Folklore research & Folklore Fieldwork is of great help in conducting my fieldwork for extracting the valuable materials from the site wherein my study is located.

xvi) The Comprehensive History of Assam, Vol-1, H K Barpujari

Chap: 4 of this book which is authored by D C Sirean have given opportunities to know about historical account of ancient Assam & its epical-Puranic myths and allied Legends

xvii) Rural Sociology: (Reprint,2010), S L Doshi & PC Jain

This book presents a new concept for me in dealing with various aspects of the Devalaya-which is none other than 鈥淩ural Aesthetics鈥� enshrined in Chapter 10 of the book

xviii) A History of the Temples of Kamrup and Their Management, Gajendra Adhikary

This book has amply helped me to penetrate the various tangible and intangible elements of the Billeswar Devalaya as it a compendium of analyses regarding various aspects of the Devalaya or other religious sites of undivided Kamrup District. Every chapter of this book is of importance in providing relevant points which are to be used in my thesis. Especially the Chapter: 05 under the heading: 鈥楳anagement of the Temples Establishments in the Post Independence Period鈥� has added another dimension to me by importing quite relevant information about the new-legislatures passed by the government relating the affairs to the temple 

xix) Asomar Sesh-Madhyajugiya Mandir-Stapatya (Temple Architecture of Later Medieval Period of Assam) by Dr Pradip Sarma.

This book has given lots of information about the architectural aspects and legacy pattern of the temples of medieval period. The sixth chapter of the book contains a glimpse of the Billeswar Devalaya-which is the epicenter of my study. It also mentions about its architectural form by unidentified patrons. 

xx) Pavitra Assam, 3^rd Edition, 1991, Maheswar Neog

This book is just like Temple Directory of Assam where almost all the prominent temples of Assam representing various ages. A brief narration of Billeswar Devalaya that belonged to the undivided Kamrup district is presented along with the year of erection: 1443 Saka/1529 AD by King Nagakhya referring Kamrupar Buranji. The land area of the Devalaya is also stated as per the gazetteer records. The Devalaya possessed 1420 Bighas (Lakheraj) & 2801 Bighas (Nisfri-Kheraj).(Page-135)

xxi) Daranga Rajvansabali, 

[2^nd edition, 2013, Edited by Biswanarayan Shastri & Baba Prasad Chaliha]

The book originally was composed by Suryakiran Daibaigya-royal scholar of Koch kingdom. (16^th century). It presents a long profile about the Koch Dynasty. It has provided ample information about the contribution of Koch Kings to different fields. It gives an opportunity for comprehending various aspects of medieval Assam.

xxii) Works of Prafulladatta Goswami, Vol-II,

[English Material, edited by Birendranath Datta]

This book is a compendium of folk literature that narrates its various genres in lucid language and supports my study by promoting me to better understanding of my task. The chapter: 10 under the title: The Milk Pouring Cow. In fact, the chapter consists of some legends of milk-pouring cow which is related with the erection of some temples in Assam which find mention in this chapter. Though Billeswar Devalaya is also a prominent Devalaya in Assam having century old legacy with the same foundational legend; however the chapter does not mention Billeswar Devalaya. (Page 697)

xxiii) Cultural Anthropology by William. A. et al.

From this book the concept of Cultural relativism is extracted, which has been instrumental in elaborating the various points of the study. I am blessed with clean concepts like culture, society, individual on the anthropological basis (page 52-53)

xxiv) Prachya Sasanavali, Maheswar Neog (ed)

The book contains critical notes on the old inscriptions and other documents in Sanksrit & Assamese of the old kingdoms of Kamrupa, Assam, Jayantiyapur. Page-59 presents an incomplete explanation of the stone inscription available in Billeswar Devalaya granted by the Ahom king Lakshmisimha.

xxv) Asamar Loka-Utsav by Dr. Pramod Ch. Bhattacharyya

This book narrates various folk festivals celebrated in Assam. Some of them are directly related with the Billeswar Devalaya. The nature and legacy of the festivals are understood by going through the chapters of the book.

xxvi) Purani Kamrupar Dharmar Dhara,

[2^nd edition, edited by Nabin Ch. Sarmah]

This book is full of mythical and legendary tales on the various deities; rituals and religions. It has helped enough in understanding the religious beliefs & traditions those are being prevalent from ancient times. The pristine religious environment is portrayed with much scholarly elucidation.

xxvii) A History of Assam by Sir Edward Gait.

This book has helped me to visualize many of historical points related with my study. In Page-17 of this book, there is a mention of King namely Naag Shankar or Nagakhya who flourished towards the end of fourth century at Pratapgarh in Bishwanath where the ruins of a fort attributed to him are still in existence. Mistakenly, the king mentioned here is believed to be the erector of Billeswar Devalaya.

xxviii) The Blessed Land by Dr. Prabin Ch. Das

This book is on the socio-cultural study of Hajo, place of antiquity in Kamrup District of Assam by Dr. Prabin Ch. Das. Though the subject is confined only to Hajo area; however it paves the way for looking into the socio-cultural or region-cultural background of other areas of Kamrup district. The elaboration of all the folklore materials though in context of Hajo has opened the doors for entering into the domain of Billeswar Devalaya.

xxix) The Sacred Complex in Hindu Gaya by L P Vidyarthi

It is a guiding book for illustrating the Billeswar Devalaya as a sacred complex on the basis of his propounded theory and elemental innovation. As stated by L P Vidyarthi a sacred complex must have possessed three segments organically integrated. These are: Sacred Geography, Sacred Performance and Sacred Specialist. Our benevolent attempt to justify the Billeswar Devalaya as a sacred complex is based upon the ideas presented by his book. The book is studied to understand the all the macro and micro elements of a sacred complex with meticulous care. This book has given me an extra spirit to pursue my study.

xxx) Kamrupa Sasanavali edited by Dr Dimbeswar Sarma

[Published by Lakhsmi Nath Tamuly, Secretary, Publication Board Assam, Guwahati.]

The book has given lots of archeological and epigraphic information about the various sources whereupon our history of Kamrup -ancient Assam is relied upon. Without a speculative observation about the religio-cultural background of Kamrup鈥搕he study about Billeswar Devalaya may not be a judicious one. Because Devalaya or any other religious institutions with ancientness epitomizes various historical, political, sociological, anthropological and cultural elements of the eras through which it survives. In fact this book is of paramount importance in this regard.

xxxi) Yogini Tantra and Kalika Purana

[Yogini Tantra鈥擯ublished by Dutta Barua Publishing Company Pvt. Ltd.]
[Kalika Purana鈥擯ublished by Banalata, Guwahati, translated to Assamese by Surendra Kr Das.

Both the religio-social treatises are considered relevant to be studied for understanding the religious rituals of Billeswar Devalaya. Like other Shakti Pith, Billeswar Devalaya also looks after the rituals as prescribed by both these ancient classics which are believed to be composed in ancient Assam.

This chapter guides me in compiling the thesis by inducting the facts and figures along with the elaboration of the collected data and information from all possible sources.

Notes and References

Ahuja, R, (2014) Research Methods, New Delhi, Rawat Publications, p-223

Datta, A, (1988), Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti, Vol.2, p-1275 

Dundes, A, (1980), Interpreting Folklore, Indiana: Indiana University Press, p-211

Rathod, P.B, (2005) Dimensions of Social Research, Delhi, Commonwealth, p-92