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Time of India
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Love in lacquer: Puppets tie the knot in Balasore temple
1 2 3 4 5 6 Balasore: With religious chants echoing through temple walls and the air thick with the scent of incense and tradition, a pair of lacquer-crafted puppets were wed in a ceremonial spectacle that blended folklore, literature and rituals. 'Jau Kandhei Bahaghara', a unique lacquer puppet wedding, unfolded in all its vibrant glory at Lokanath Temple in Balasore's Sahadevkhunta on Friday night. This time, the puppets called Aparthi and Gurei were inspired by the protagonists of the Odia short story 'Sua Muhara Patara' by Pranabandhu Kar. From the Mission High School ground, more than a 100 participants danced and drummed their way to the temple, transforming the town into a living stage of music, colour and heritage. Onlookers were treated to a rare medley of traditional art forms — Sahijatra from Puri, Ranga Dhol from Balasore, Pitula Nacha of Dubalagad, Paika Akhada from Manikhamba, Loudi from Bhadrak and tribal dances of Nilagiri. Inside the temple, the mood shifted to sacred solemnity. As the smell of incense curled into the night air, the marriage rites were conducted with reverence. Symbolic parents and priests played their roles — Bimal Panda for the groom, Pandit Bishwambhar Mishra for the bride. Neelamani Mandal and Umamani Mohanty performed the 'kanyadaan', representing Gurei's symbolic family. Aparthi's parents were portrayed by Pitambar Das and Mukantilata Das. Following the wedding, the puppet couple was taken back in a ceremonial procession to the school ground. Anju Saraogi, a senior member of the organising committee, said, "Construction of the puppets begins every year on Ram Navami, and the wedding date is chosen based on temple rituals. Each year, the puppet couple is named after mythological or literary characters to convey a cultural message." The festival will continue until Monday, featuring exhibitions, folk performances and traditional Odia cuisine, offering visitors an immersive experience of Balasore's cultural richness.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Lavish ‘lagna dhara' ceremony marks doll wedding festival
Balasore: The sacred occasion of Chandan Purnima witnessed the grand celebration of the traditional ' jau kandhei bahaghara ' (doll marriage) in Balasore town, with the auspicious 'lagna dhara' ritual conducted in a vibrant and festive atmosphere at the historic Lokanath Temple in Anand Bazar on Monday. The ceremonial worship commenced at the Siddhi Vinayak Temple near Cinema Square, where the groom's symbolic parents, Pitambar Das and Sukanti Lata Das, along with members of the Jau Kandhei Utsav Samiti, performed traditional rituals . A grand procession followed, as the groom's entourage made its way from Sahadevkhunta to Lokanath Temple, accompanied by traditional music, dance, and vibrant community keeping with tradition, this year's symbolic bride and groom were chosen from the characters of the renowned Odia short story "Sua Muhara Patara" by noted author Pranabandu Kar. The characters 'aparthi' (groom) and 'gurei' (bride) were symbolically represented in the ceremony. At the Lokanath Temple, the bride's symbolic parents, Nilamani Mandal and Umamani Mahana, warmly welcomed the groom's 'lagna dhara' ritual was formally conducted by priests under the guidance of the Siddhi Vinayak Temple's head priest. The marriage rituals were later solemnised at Lokanath Temple, maintaining the sanctity and spirit of the Ratha, a committee member said, "Beyond its ritualistic significance, this festival carries a powerful social message. The bride's side has pledged to plant 100 palm trees and organise a blood donation camp, while the groom's side has committed to cleaning the seashore and promoting dowry-free marriages for underprivileged girls. It truly reinforces the festival's role in encouraging environmental awareness and social responsibility." Further festivities include Mangalan on May 22 and the grand 'bahaghara' (wedding celebration) on May 23. From May 22 to May 26, a series of cultural programmes will be organised at the Mission School premises. Keshu Das, a lacquer artiste, said "This festival is not just about preserving a cultural tradition. It's a way to teach the younger generation about the values of community, equality, and social responsibility through symbolic rituals and collective celebration."
