Sahi Jata is an 800-year-old traditional tradition of the city of Puri. In Odisha, Sahi means locality and Jata means cultural entertainment. The city of Puri is dotted with many akhadas (gymnasiums) since the 12th century. These traditional institutions provided services like exercise, gymnastic practices, religious rituals etc. and thus a unique culture developed around the Akharas (known as Jaga-ghar in the city of Puri), a product of which is the 800-year-old Sahi Jata of Puri. The spiritual fervour in Puri is unparalleled.
When is Sahi Jatacelebrated?
Sahi Jata is performed every year on the night of Chaitra month, starting a day before Ram Navami. The festival lasts for nine or 10 days according to the calendar. The city of Puri comes alive with the stories of Ramayana during Sahi Jata, a festival performed in various sahis or streets. It consists of two phases - a martial art and a portrayal of a character from Ramayana and involves the story of Ramayana being enacted in several different pieces. Some of the characters like Parashurama and Ravana have a direct connection to the Jagannath temple, as do all things in Puri.
All the characters carry huge decorative structures behind them called Medhas. These Medhas are also fine examples of Puri's Solpitha craft. Passing through the seven ancient streets or Sahi of Puri and dancing with such huge and heavy Medha (heavy costume).
Who started the Sahi Jata festival?
"The Choda Ganga kings started this tradition of common people practising the art of war to protect the Jagannatha temple from attacks". Seven ancient sahis of the city participate in the festival which begins with the performance of the yajna episode of Ramayana in which King Dasharath and his wives perform a religious ritual. It is called Markandes Sahi. The birth of Rama is depicted in the Kaliketi Sahi. With successive episodes performed in other Sahi, the festival ends with the Lanka Podi in the Dolmandap Sahi and the Sethu or bridge building episode in the Bali Sahi. During the daily jatras that begin in the evening, artists who have been practising for months perform the martial arts dances specific to the akhada tradition of Puri. “The martial arts dances are amazing to watch, especially the costumes that give the performers a grand mythological look.
Importance of Sahi Jata
Sahi Jata have characters from Ramayana like Parashurama, Naga, Ravana, Hanuman but more than the story or dialogue it is about pure stylized dance performed in the streets. The dance itself is simple; its core lies in subtle, nuanced movements that present the grandeur of the art as a stunning display of one's prowess. This is the essence of Sahi Jata, where a graceful swing of Parashurama's axe to the intoxicating tune of the Telingi baaja (traditional trumpet music) delights a crowd of hundreds.