The Aim of the project was to study and document the Habitat of the village of Bordowa, 16 km north of Nagaon District in Assam. Bordowa is the Religous capital of Assam, as it is the birth place of the greatest Saint of Assam Shrimanta Shankardev, who propagated the Bhakti movement. As apart of the project we stayed at Bordowa for 4 days and interacted with the local community and people , visited their homes, and documented the entire process interms of videos and photographs. We tried to undestand the dynamics of Bordowa, as a cultural centre ,an Economic hub and as a potential model for sustainable growth.

1. SYSTEM DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY
PROPOSAL FOR HABITAT
PROMOTION CENTER
Semester • Jan-May 2015
Department of Design, IIT Guwahati

2. 32 Department of Design, IIT-Guwahati
Students
Shambhavi Deshpande
Dorai Raj Natha
Aayush Jain
Rajib Bhakat
Kunal Drego
Kulmanali Khilare
Habitat Group
B.Des IVyr
B.Des IVyr
B.Des IVyr
M.DesIV yr
M.Des IIyr
M.Des IIyr
11020510
11020512
11020501
134205019
134205010
1342050
The Aim of the project is
to study and document the
Habitat of the village of
Bordowa, 16 km north of
Nagaon District in Assam.
Bordowa is the Religous capital
of Assam, as it is the birth
place of the greatest Saint of
Assam Shrimanta Shankardev,
who propagated the Bhakti
movement.
As apart of the project we
stayed at Bordowa for 4 days
and interacted with the local
community and people , visited
their homes, and documented
the entire process interms
of videos and photographs.
We tried to undestand the
dynamics of Bordowa, as a
cultural centre ,an Economic
hub and as a potential model
for sustainable growth.
The following report
summarises our experiences
and observations during our
stay in Bordowa.
Synopsis
We would like to thank the
people of Bordowa for letting
us into thair homes and their
hearts.
The purpose of the visit was to
understanding the needs of the
society and built up a system
level intervention for the
upliftment of the society.
Our solution aims to put
Bardowa in the map and make
it and Attractive tourist spot.
To make a sustainable system
which helps the tourists and
also the villagers to experience
the journey. Creating the
unique experience of Bordowa
whoever visits it is the core aim
of the project.
Course Instructor
Dr. Ravi.Mokashi Punekar
Asst. Prof Sharmistha Banerjee

3. 54 Department of Design, IIT-Guwahati
INTRODUCTION
Srimanta Sankardev (1449–1568) (Môhapurux Srimôntô Xônkôrdeu), was a 15th–
16th century Assamese polymath: a saint-scholar, poet, playwright, social-religious reformer and a
figure of importance in the cultural and religious history of Assam, India. He is widely credited with
building on past cultural relics and devising new forms of music (Borgeet), theatrical performance (Ankia
Naat, Bhaona), dance (Sattriya), literary language (Brajavali). Besides, he has left an extensive literary
oeuvre of trans-created scriptures (Bhagavat of Sankardev), poetry and theological works written in
Sanskrit, Assamese and Brajavali. The Bhagavatic religious movement he started, Ekasarana Dharma
and also called Neo-Vaishnavite movement, influenced two medieval kingdoms---Koch and the Ahom
kingdoms—and the assembly of devotees he initiated evolved into Sattras over time, which continue
to be important socio-religious institutions in Assam and to a lesser extend in North Bengal. Sankardev
inspired the Bhakti movement in Assam just as Guru Nanak, Ramananda, Kabir, Basava and Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu inspired it elsewhere in the Indian subcontinent. His influence spread even to some
kingdoms as the Matak Kingdom founded by Bharat Singha, and consolidated by Sarbanda Singha in the
latter 18th century endorsed his teachings
Sankaradeva propagated a form of Vaisnavism known as Eka-Śaraṇa
Hari-Nāma Dharma, popularly referred to as Mahāpuruṣism, which
considers Lord Krishna (Kṛṣṇa) to be the One, Eternal and Absolute
and stresses upon unqualified devotion to Him. He spread the
liberal and humanistic doctrine of bhakti for the very first time in
Assam. The religious system of Sankaradeva is strictly monotheistic
and the worship of deities other than Krishna is strictly prohibited.
Eka-Sarana, in Sankaradeva’s Mahapurusism, means taking absolute
shelter or refuge in One God, Krishna
Batadrava Than/ Bardowa Satra:
Than’ means a sacred place in Assamese society. Traditionally this word has been used to indicate a
sacred place. It was derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Sthan’ meaning place. Srimanta Sankaradeva used
this indigenous Assamese word ‘Than’ to indicate the residential religious institution created by him. At
that time the word ‘Satra’ was not used. Srimanta Sankaradeva himself used the word ‘Than’. It was only
later that the word ‘Sattra’ started to be used.
Mahapurukh Srimanta Sankardev.2Batadrava Than in Bordowa in the present Nagaon district of Assam is
one of the best known Thans founded by Srimanta Sankaradeva. It is named as SRI SRI BATADRAVA THAN.
Srimanta Sankaradeva set up the first ever Kirtanghar here in 1468. The importance of this place is also
derived from the fact that the saint was born at Alipukhuri – Bordowa in 1449. After returning from his
12 year long pilgrimage in 1493, he started preaching his Vaishnavite religious ideas here regularly and
systematically. His ideas were based on Bhagavata Purana
Some of the teachings of Srimanta Shankardeva
(1) Brahma is the supreme truth.
(2) Brahma and Iswara (God) are the same.
(3) Brahma or Iswara is there in every being.
(4) Iswara and His creations are not different.
(5) Jiva (creature) is a component of God. The former constitutes the body of the latter.
(6) The creation is temporary, but not exactly unreal as it is a projection of God. So it cannot be ignored.
(7) Maya (illusion) is an act of God and its influence can be avoided by the grace of God.
(8) One becomes God as one realizes the identity of God and the five elements

4. 76 Department of Design, IIT-Guwahati
BrainstormingBardowa SWOT Analysis
Key words:
Tourism, Cultural Identity, Spreading teaching of Shankardev, Economic empowerment, Sustainable
growth, Tourism Experience.
Tourism
Cultural
Awreness
Economic
Empowerment
3 peak times to visit Bardowa:
• Doul Uttsav(Holi)
• Birth aniversery of
Shankardev.
• Death aniversery of
Shankardev.
•
Unique about Bordowa:
• The cultural heritage.
• Teachings of Shankardev.
• Lifestyle
• Dance and songs.
• Handicrafts.
• markets and local
siteseeing.
• History .
• Dance, Bhawna
• Songs, Naam geet, Kirtan.
• Reciepies
• Cultural wears and ethnic
jewellery.
• Tourist guide.
• Art and Crafts.
• Museum.
• History through Interaction.
• Artefacts
• Habitat and Cultural
Awareness
• Generate Employment.
• Involve locals in tourusm
process.
• Home Sharing.
• Food Sharing.
• Exchange of Culture and
Knowledge
• Through information and
practice.
• Involve tourist in daily life.
• Bridging the gap.
• Source of livelyhood.
• Act as tourists guide.
• Teach Shankardev's
principles.
STRENGTH
THREATSOPPORTUNITIES
WEAKNESS
• Vegetation, Bamboo, Coconut, Tobacco.
• Cultural capital of Assam.
• Holy place
• Handicrafts, weaving, kuhila, fisheries.
• Cleanliness
• Electricity, connectivity, well connected through
roads.
• Teachings of Shrimanta Shankardev.
• Government support.
• Satra is the Cultural center.
• Harmony between ethnic groups.
• Peaceful and Culturally rich.
• Low lying area
• Purchasing power.
• Valuation of handicrafts in money.
• Lack of interest in tourism.
• No hotels nearby.
• Not business minded.
• Lack of jobs.
• Mostly aged population.
• Proper communication to tourists outside of
Assam.
• Loss of Cultural values.
• Opportunity wasted in Tourism Sector.
• Economic empowerment through Handicrafts,
food products, Tourism , Hospitality etc.
• Tourism opportunities.
• Digital Empowerment.
• Spreading cultural awareness.
• Training village youth to become socially
responsible .
• Manure Cultivation.
• Bamboo crafts.
• Cultural Empowerment.
• Spread teachings of Shankardev.
• Tourism during Holi and Birth anniversary of
Shankardev.
• Geographical Limitations
• Economic Backing.
• Loss of cultural ethos due to business and
industries.
• Extra usage of natural resources.
• Disturbance in Harmony.
• No competent authority.
• Loss of younger generation to cities for job etc.

5. 98 Department of Design, IIT-Guwahati
Creating The Bordowa Experience
Tourist Host
Satra
• Sharing of Home .
• Sharing of Food.
• Can buy products directly from the Craftsmen.
• Tourist feels safe and secure.
• Sharing of experience.
• Quality checked by satra.
• Homley Hospitality.
• 1st hand experiences.
• Sharing of values and teachings of Shankardev.
• Value adddition
• Strong bond formation.
The Habitat Centre
The Habitat Centre
• The Habitat center controls
the interaction between the
guest and the host.
• It acts as the governing
body and ensures quality
ans safe service to the
Guest.
• It controls and regulate
the monetary transactions
between the guest and the
Host.
Guest and Host Interaction
Tourist Experience Design
Communication
ActionsinLifestyle
• Places to visit
• Things to buy
• People to meet
• Books on
history/Guide
• Quotes and
teachings of
Shankar Dev.
• Trivia and
Traditions.
• Word of
mouth.
• 1 to 1
interaction
Wearing tat silk
Muga
Weaving classes
Relevant photography
Folk Music
Movies
Museum tour
Bhawna performance
• Home cooked Food
• Sharing and caring Hosts
• Eating food together
prepared by the host
• Interior based on vastu.
• Integration of
panchatatva in daily life
• Use of natural elements
for cleaning.
• Follow teachings of
Shankardev
• Mingle with locals
• Sharing of Work.

6. 1110 Department of Design, IIT-Guwahati
Family2Family1
Satra
Monetary Investment for the
infra and early costs of HPC
Building the
HPC infra
Family3 Family4 Family5Family1
Cooking food Cleanliness
Organising Bhawna
performances
Interior
Decoration
Beddings
Reciting from
the Bhagwat
Complaints
management
Providing Information to tourists
Offline + Online info management
Accounts management
Bookings, Payments
from tourists
Family3Family2
Satra
Family1
Monetary Investment
for the infra and
early costs of THC
1. Share in Profit according to
initial investment
2. Fix benefits to all sevakari
Quality check
Family4 Family5 Villager5
Building the
THC infra
System functioning: Citizens point of view System functioning: Satra point of view
Proposal: The villagers of Bordowa take part in the building and functioning of this Habitat Promotion Centre (HPC), in the
form of money or contribution to logistics. This whole process of creating the HPC is coordinated by the Satra, and takes
place during the festival times of rush. All participating families contribute in various modes like Cooking food, Cleaning up,
Arranging beddings, interior decorations, and even reciting shlok from the Bhagwat, organising Bhawna in the HPC.
This is how the Satra would be involved in the functioning of Bordowa Habitat Promotion Centre. It would be a monitoring
agent, one which ensures that all co-operating families are doing their contribution with a certain standard of quality. Also,
the Satra would be involved in handling all monetary affairs with fair justice and authority. The families involved will invest
some money, like shares of a stock market, and get a proportionate share from the total profit.

7. 1312 Department of Design, IIT-Guwahati
This is how the system will proposedly work out for all stakeholders involved, including the Jatri i.e. Tourists. Information
about this HPC will be accesses by people outside Bordowa, through internet, Assam tourism offices, ads etc. They will
book rooms & pay money Satra. According to tentative numbers, Satra will plan out basic logistics, interested families will
put in their investment and take responsibilities. Jatris will come to Bordowa, live in HPC and experience the whole system
designed for them. In HPC, they will be connected to History guides, Handicraft artisans, get involved in Religous traditions
like Bhawna, recitals from Bhagwat. The families will get monetary benefits and more importantly joy of celebrating culture;
and the Jatri will obtain an entirely immersive experience and knowledge of Bordowa's core, which is its culture and values.
1. Share in Profit according to
initial investment
2. Fixed benefits to all sevakari
Jatri
(Tourist)
Jatri
(Tourist)
Jatri
(Tourist)
Jatri
(Tourist)
J: Know Bordowa
history
C: Cultural pride
J: Take away home
Shankardev teachings,
Main visiting purpose
C: Cultural reverance
J: Refreshment
C: Monetary Growth
J: Buy unique
souvenirs
C: Growth,
cultural pride
Experience living in
Bordowa completely
Complaints
management
Providing Information to tourists
Offline + Online info management
Accounts management
Bookings, Payments
from tourists
Satra
Monetary Investment
for the infra and
early costs of THC
1. Intimate owners
2. Quality check
Family6
Handicraft
artisans
Knowledgeable
citizens
Weaving artisans
Religous
artefacts shops
Caterers
Small hotels
Family1
Interior
Decoration
Beddings
Cooking food
Cleanliness
Organising
Bhawna
performances
Reciting from
the Bhagwat
Family3
Family2
Family4
Family5
Building the
THC infra
(Joint effort)
Pay online/on arrival
Book rooms
Get info online or
phone or in person
System Model: The complete Jatri experience

8. 1514 Department of Design, IIT-Guwahati
Tourist
(User)
Satra
(Admin)
Service provider
(Family)
Create database
Providemoney
Provide
room
Guide
Provide
food
Transport
Service
Send information
Introduce culture
Introduce local
art & craft
(Market)
Availability
Pictures Facilities
Rent
Manage
(Website /app)
Access
Visit
(Family member)
Money Model
The Habitat
Centre
Design of the Guest Room
Artefects
Traditional Artefects include:
• Japi
• Khorai
• Gamucha
• Masks for plays
• Dhol,Mridanga
• Tal
• Local Crafts
• Kuhila Artistry
• Water Hysin furniture
• Assamese Jewellery

9. 1716 Department of Design, IIT-Guwahati
Panchatatwa
Visualization of the Guest Room
• The Guest room might bw
inside the house of the host
or outside the house in the
front yard.
• The Guests and the Host
shares Food, Living room,
toilets.
• This will encourage them to
maintain hyigene.
• The house is made up of
locally available material,
such as bamboo, wood, hay
etc.
• The room is well ventilated.
• The initial cost of the room
building is bore by the
Habitat centre and the
owner in a partnership
basis.
• The Habitat centre is
respossible for regulag
check up and maintaining
the quality of the room and
hospitality issues.
• The interior is decorated
with the locally available
crafts and the craft that is
the speciality of the house.

10. 1918 Department of Design, IIT-Guwahati
Other activities generated by this system
• This system will lead to a plethora of opportunities within the Bordowa community and outside it;
rise of entrepreneurial activity within the Bordowa than, a growing interest among people outside
for visiting the place, and an increase in the weightage of heritage of this place in history, are just a
gist of what could happen.
• Following are some activities which this system will encourage:
• Food items processing
• Translation of Bordowa
history, Shankardev's
teachings books to Hindi,
English and other languages
• Slight automation of
Handicrafts: eg. Tat weaving
machine, aquacynth
furniture, Kuhila craft
• Building of a viewpoint for a
top view of Akashiganga
• Plastic recycling plant near
the gaon
• Housewives, home activity
• Learned people and
multilinguals in the gaon
• Artisans, Engineers
• Mistrys, Builders, Tourist
guides
• Environmentalists, land,
other expertise
• Packaged food specific to
Bordowa taken by tourists
• More and more Jatri access
buy the books
• Increase in production,
widespread usage,
heritage and traditions are
celebrated
• Jatri can view the
Akashiganga shape, know
the history from a guide
• When many tourists visit,
the high amount of waste
generated will be managed
Input or Investment Internal functioning elements Output or Achievement