Legends of Mayong, in Assam, have rendered it prominence as the land of black magic and witchcraft. It is believed that during medieval era, the region was a very important centre of magic. People hailing from distant places arrived at this mysterious village to learn the skills of magic and in this way the art propagated through generations. It is also said to be the centre of study of magic in ancient Kamarupa and Pragjyotishpura and owing to its location close to the Kamakhya Temple, it played a crucial role in making Assam a significant centre for tantric studies and practices. A number of legends and folklores also encompass the village.
Legends of Black Magic at Mayong
One of the legends of Mayong relates to a government officer who got transferred to Mayong once. A villager organized a feast and invited the officer and served him scrumptious local delicacies without any chillies. When the officer asked the host for some chillies an astonishing incident occurred in which the chillies arrived skipping on their own. The incident is believed as true by the residents of Mayong. Later it was heard that it startled the officer so much that he left the village with a transfer. It is also believed that the sorcerers or tantrics of the village could summon rains during drought, vanish in thin air and tame tigers.
Another legend says that there was a king of Nepal who brought magic to the valley of Brahmaputra centuries ago. A small kingdom was established by him and Mayong was made its capital. The place gradually emerged as an important place for radical tantricism. Later during the rule of Ahom dynasty, the magical practices were nurtured here by the natives. People of Mayong are deep believers of their magical capabilities and they still use magic and indigenous herbs for solving their day to day problems. It is said that in olden days, the magicians could actually move to wherever they wished with the use of a chant to fly. Legends also say that the invasion of Maans from Myanmar was prevented by the people of Mayong by casting a spell along the boundaries of Mayong and consequently blocking them from arriving.
Legends of Mayong Kingdom
Some believe that the great Mayong kingdom came into existence during the time of a Karbi Youth, Xunyta Singha. According to the folklores, the youth was very handsome and had all the qualities required for being a king. He once encountered a few cowherds and when asked about him he replied that he belonged to Govya Rajya or kingdom, in Malbong of Manipur. He had left his kingdom for some unknown reason. Thus the village recognized him as a king and coronated him, establishing the kingdom. Other records state that Mayong kingdom was included in the Koch dynasty and was a Kochari kingdom and the people of this kingdom are believed to be associated with the son of Bhima and Hidimbeswari of Mahabharata, Ghatotkach.
A number of stone sculptures can be spotted in Mayong which narrate its tantric practices. Even in contemporary times, almost every house of the village contains several ancient handwritten manuscripts with varied incantations or mantras. However many of them demolished over time or have been deliberately destroyed by people to prevent the misuse of certain very powerful mantras. Till date there exist some magic practitioners in Mayong who mainly focus on the remedial of common ailments for the people.
