Puri: The pilgrim town of Puri in Odisha is gearing up to celebrate ‘Sahi Jata’, a unique tradition linked to Shree Jagannath culture, on April 6.
The annual festival is set to kick off on Sri Ram Navami. Based on the story of the epic Ramayana, the festival will see conduct of rituals and traditions right from the birth of Sri Ram up to his coronation ceremony.
In order to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the traditional festival, officials of the district administration have held meeting with functionaries of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and heads of the seven sahis (old streets) abutting the 12th century shrine.
All preparations for the Saji Jata have been put in place, said Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain.
As per tradition, seven sahis – Kalikadebi Sahi, Goudabada Sahi, Harachandi Sahi, Markandeswar Sahi, Dolamandap Sahi, Bali Sahi and Kundeibeta Sahi — usually place a proposal before the Shree Jagannath Temple for the celebration of 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 Ramayana — 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.
A scholar on Jagannath culture said Sahi Jata epitomises the spirit of unity, cooperation, and communal harmony. It transcends caste, creed, and social hierarchies, embracing all who reside within its fold.
Each Sahi (locality) within Puri boasts of its unique identity, yet all are bound by the common thread of devotion and camaraderie. In the face of modernization and urbanisation, Sahi Jata stands as a bastion of tradition and resilience.
