[Watch] ‘Sahi Jata’ In Odisha’s Puri: Balibandha Sahi Completes ‘Setubandha Niti’

Puri: As part of ongoing Sahi Jata, Balibandha Sahi Akhada, one of Sata Sahi Akhadas (seven gymnasiums) in pilgrim town of Odisha’s Puri organised ‘Setubandh Pratisha Niti’, a dramatic depiction of Lord Ram building a bridge to Lanka to save Devi Sita, late Friday night.

The dramatic procession went to Jambeswar temple at Goudabada Sahi and later to Jagannathballabh mutt where final rituals were performed.

Earlier, after completion of ‘Sandhyadhupa’ ritual at Shree Jagannath Temple last night, representative idols of Lord Ram and Laxman were taken out in a decorative palanquin to Jagannathballabh Mutt with ordain from the temple where street performance on ‘Setubandha Pratisha’ was displayed.

Balisahi Akhada will organise Ravanabadh niti (street perfomace on elimination of Ravana) on Saturday night. Ramabhisekha niti (coronation of Lord Ram) will be organised on April 15.

As per tradition, seven Akhadas 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 Ravana – during Sahi Jata, which is a unique tradition linked to Jagannath culture,

This year, it was started on March 30 (Ram Navami). Balibandhsahi Akhada organised street performance of Ravana procession which moved to Jambeswar temple before coming to Jagannathballabh mutt where final rituals were performed.

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.

As per decision taken earlier, during Sahi Jata, Kalikadebi Sahi was assigned to solemnise Ramajanma Niti; Harachandi Sahi Jajnaraksha Niti; Goudabada Sahi Ramabhisheka Niti; Markandeswar Sahi Banabasa Niti; Dolamandap Sahi Lankapodi Niti; Balibandh Sahi Ravanabadha Niti and Kundeibeta Sahi Sitachori Niti