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{{Use Indian English|date=September 2017}} | {{Use Indian English|date=September 2017}} | ||
'''Saurath Sabha''' is a historical village situated approximately | '''Saurath Sabha''' is a historical village situated approximately 6 km northeast of Madhubani in the [[Madhubani district|Madhubani]] District of [[Bihar]], [[India]]. It is famous for its annual gathering of thousands of [[Maithil]] Brahman to match couples during the Hindu months of Jyestha-Aasadh. The gathering is organised in an orchard covering 22 acres (''bighas'') of land, which are said to have been donated by the [[Maharaja of Darbhanga]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040708113347/http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/22/stories/2004062209300300.htm ] accessed on Jan08, 2008</ref> It is an important social event in India that is focused on arranged marriages between Maithil men and women according to a reading of their lineage history by the registrars (''Panjikars'').<ref>[http://discoverbihar.bih.nic.in/pages/fairs.htm Fairs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> | ||
== History== | == History== | ||
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The original name of the village is Saurashtra. The name derives from its status as a cultural and intellectual centre of the [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] region, associated with [[Janaka]], the ancient king of [[Mithila (ancient)|Mithila]]. [[Janaka]] is mentioned in the [[Ramayana]] stories as the father of the Maithili Princess [[Sita]]. Tradition has it that the marriage of Janaka's daughter, Sita, took place in this village. | The original name of the village is Saurashtra. The name derives from its status as a cultural and intellectual centre of the [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] region, associated with [[Janaka]], the ancient king of [[Mithila (ancient)|Mithila]]. [[Janaka]] is mentioned in the [[Ramayana]] stories as the father of the Maithili Princess [[Sita]]. Tradition has it that the marriage of Janaka's daughter, Sita, took place in this village. | ||
The presiding God of this village is Somanath or Shiva. According to tradition, in AD 1025, [[Mahmud of Ghazni]] attacked the temple of [[Somnath]], completely destroying it. It is believed that Lord Somnath appeared in the dream of the two Maithil Brahman brothers, Bhagirath Dutta Sharma and Ganga Dutt Sharma, and asked them to take His [[lingam]] away. The two brothers, following God's instruction, went to [[Dwarka]], brought the lingam to the village and kept it there in hiding for a long time. Later the lingam was duly enshrined. The Somanath temple at Dwarka is situated in the [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] region. In the 18th century, a Maithil king constructed here the temple of Somnath.<ref>http://www.ignca.nic.in/viir0004.htm | The presiding God of this village is Somanath or Shiva. According to tradition, in AD 1025, [[Mahmud of Ghazni]] attacked the temple of [[Somnath]], completely destroying it. It is believed that Lord Somnath appeared in the dream of the two Maithil Brahman brothers, Bhagirath Dutta Sharma and Ganga Dutt Sharma, and asked them to take His [[lingam]] away. The two brothers, following God's instruction, went to [[Dwarka]], brought the lingam to the village and kept it there in hiding for a long time. Later the lingam was duly enshrined. The Somanath temple at Dwarka is situated in the [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] region. In the 18th century, a Maithil king constructed here the temple of Somnath.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ignca.nic.in/viir0004.htm |title= |website=www.ignca.nic.in |access-date=8 Jan 2008}}{{SemiBareRefNeedsTitle|date=May 2022}}</ref> This story is mentioned in the introductory chapter of the official ''' District Gazetteer of Darbhanga''' (1964, when Madhubani district was part of Darbhanga) by Roy Choudhary. | ||
The main landowners of the village are the Thakurs family. The Thakurs are Maithil Brahmins who owned most of the land in the village and held the official marriage records, as well as records of family trees. Later in the 17th century, when the house of Thakurs was set on fire by outsiders, they transferred the records of families to other [[Guru–shishya tradition|Shishyas]], who now look after the marriage registration and are known as Panjipara. | The main landowners of the village are the Thakurs family. The Thakurs are Maithil Brahmins who owned most of the land in the village and held the official marriage records, as well as records of family trees. Later in the 17th century, when the house of Thakurs was set on fire by outsiders, they transferred the records of families to other [[Guru–shishya tradition|Shishyas]], who now look after the marriage registration and are known as Panjipara. | ||
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Almost every year, during the ''suddha'' - favourable days for the arrangement of marriages - thousands of Maithil Brahmins gather at Sabha Gaachchi in Saurath. The ''Panjikaran,'' who the ''Panji'' genealogical records, plays an important role in arranging marriages; it is compulsory for every individual seeking marriage to receive an ''asvajajanapatra'' certificate from the Panjikaran, stating that there is no "blood relationship" between the bride and groom. There is a fixed place – ''dera'' – for every village in the Sabha. The timing and number of days are decided during a meeting between the scholars and pandits of Mithila in accordance with the traditional astrological almanac, ''Pachanga''. | Almost every year, during the ''suddha'' - favourable days for the arrangement of marriages - thousands of Maithil Brahmins gather at Sabha Gaachchi in Saurath. The ''Panjikaran,'' who the ''Panji'' genealogical records, plays an important role in arranging marriages; it is compulsory for every individual seeking marriage to receive an ''asvajajanapatra'' certificate from the Panjikaran, stating that there is no "blood relationship" between the bride and groom. There is a fixed place – ''dera'' – for every village in the Sabha. The timing and number of days are decided during a meeting between the scholars and pandits of Mithila in accordance with the traditional astrological almanac, ''Pachanga''. | ||
The Sabha usually lasts for seven to fifteen days and is held once or twice a year during the most favourable months. After reaching the [[dera]] the father or guardian of the bride begins searching for a suitable groom with the help of his relatives and a ''ghatak'' (middleman). The negotiation takes place in a democratic manner and is held in the open. The grooms and their parents also arrive at their respective [[dera]]s.<ref>[http://www.ignca.nic.in/kmsh0006.htm#chopal Article | The Sabha usually lasts for seven to fifteen days and is held once or twice a year during the most favourable months. After reaching the [[dera]] the father or guardian of the bride begins searching for a suitable groom with the help of his relatives and a ''ghatak'' (middleman). The negotiation takes place in a democratic manner and is held in the open. The grooms and their parents also arrive at their respective [[dera]]s.<ref>[http://www.ignca.nic.in/kmsh0006.htm#chopal Article – Chaupal As Multidimensional Public Space for Civil Society in India – K K Mishra<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> However, women are not allowed in the Saurath Sabha. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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* [[Mithila (region)]] | * [[Mithila (region)]] | ||
* [[Arranged marriage in India]] | * [[Arranged marriage in India]] | ||
* [[Marriage in Hinduism]] | * [[Marriage in Hinduism]] | ||
* [[Panjis]] | * [[Panjis]] | ||