Puri: The pilgrim town of Puri in Odisha is all set to celebrate Sahi Jata, a unique tradition linked to Jagannath culture, on March 30. To ensure smooth conduct of festival, officials of the district administration have held a meeting with functionaries of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration and heads of the seven sahis (old streets) abutting the temple.
All preprations for the Saji Jata have been put in place, said Puri Collector Samarth Verma.
As per tradition, seven sahis – Kalikadebi Sahi, Goudabada Sahi, Harachandi Sahi, Markandeswar Sahi, Dolamandap Sahi, Bali Sahi and Kundeibeta Sahi — usually put a proposal before the Jagannath Temple to celebrate Sahi Jata.
The Sahi Jata starts from Sri Ram Navami in the nights of the month of Chaitra. After completion of ‘Sandhyadupa’ (evening incense ritual) in Jagannath temple, representative idols of Lord Ram and Laxman are taken out in a decorative palanquin to Jagannathballabh Mutt with ordain from the temple.
Sata Sahi Akhadas (gymnasiums) usually organise street performance by chosen people who play various puranic characters on stories from the Ramayan—from birth of Lord Ram to the killing of demon king Ravana.
Some characters, like Parsurama and Ravana have large decorative structures called ‘medhas’ behind them. Abhisek Pratihari will play Ravana while Madhusudan Khuntia will play Parsurama.
These medhas walk through the seven oldest streets in the holy city and dance with such bulky medhas.
As per decision, during Sahi Jata, Kalikadebi Sahi will solemnise Ramajanma Niti; Harachandi Sahi Jajnaraksha Niti; Goudabada Sahi Ramabhisheka Niti; Markandeswar Sahi Banabasa Niti; Dolamandap Sahi Lankapodi Niti; Bali Sahi Ravanabadha Niti and Kundeibeta Sahi Sitachori Niti
Most delightful highlight of the event is the graceful swinging of axe by Parsurama Medha.
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