Abstract

The present study explores the Sorogdeo Puja (also known as Sogdeo Puja), an important traditional ritual observed by the Sonowal Kacharis of Assam. The Sonowal Kacharis are one of the Scheduled Tribe communities of Assam and are also found in several other states of North-East India. Traditionally, their religious beliefs were based on animism, which emphasizes the worship of natural forces, ancestral spirits, and supernatural beings believed to protect the community from hardships and misfortunes. Their religious practices are broadly classified into household worship and community worship. Household rituals are performed to ensure peace and prosperity within the family, whereas community rituals are conducted for the welfare of the entire village. Among the various community rituals, such as Baitho Puja, Gojai Puja, Lokhimi Tola Sobah, and Sorogdeo Puja, the present study focuses specifically on Sorogdeo Puja, examining its traditional practices, beliefs, and cultural significance. The ritual is primarily dedicated to Indra Devata, the deity associated with rain, prosperity, and agricultural fertility. Sorogdeo Puja continues to be observed in several Sonowal Kachari villages, particularly in Silapathar (Dhemaji District), Jokai, Naharkatia, Jamira (Dibrugarh District), and Borpathar and Dangori (Tinsukia District). The study is based on field investigations and highlights the ritual's role in preserving the cultural identity and traditional religious heritage of the Sonowal Kachari community.