“Saurath Sabha”- The lost glory of Mithila

As for Saurath Sabha, It is a unparalleled assembly of suitors where marriage ceremony is duly solemnised- the place where one can see such a wonder is Saurath. Mithila painting of Mithilanchal is famous all over the world. Saurath swings on a carousel of peepal and pakad trees, is 7 kilometres away from the Madhubani District.

A meeting was and still organised every year in the month of Jyeshtha or Asadh on a land of 30 acres,which is called “Saurath Sabha”. The place where meeting is held is called Sabhagachhi. “Sabhagachhi” because the sabha is held in “Gacchi”( Mango Orchard). Mango trees still stand in Gachhi, a testament to its prosperity. There is a huge temple of Lord Madhveshwar Nath. There is a huge ghatwala pond in the north-east corner of the temple. It is called Lagiyahi Pokhar ( लगियाही पोखर). There is a legend that earlier people perform Laghushanka-

 (लघुशंका ) by taking water in chullu. 

Now the mango tree is neither green nor has the same colour. The meeting of the maithil groom's side and maithil bride's side take place under the shade of the trees that have survived. The groom's desirous of marriage sit in their special attire along with their relatives on a sheet spread in the cool shade of the trees. Red Pag on the head ( a special type of cap), Tripundra, Coloured Kurta and coloured Dhoti. This is the recognition of the Maithil Groom. The people from the girl's side coming to the meeting at their favourite place. A give and take conversation begins on the both sides. Entry of women is prohibited in Sabhagachhi.

The most important person in the meeting “Ghatakraj”. They have a expertise in connecting and breaking the story of marriage. It is not possible to imagine any story without Ghatakraj. If the bride's side like the groom, they talk to the groom's parents to find out the boy's family name, age, financial status and possible dowry. The bride's side has to immediately give one-fourth of the total dowry to the groom's side. After that groom's side and bride's side take permission for the marriage from the registrar sitting in the meeting. 

The registrars have in their register the lineage of the Maithil Brahmin families settled not only in mithila region but also in the entire country and abroad. In this, details of clan, origin and gotra are recorded from generation to generation. First it was written on Bhojpatra, then copper plate and now on paper. The registrar keeps this paper in thick bindings. Seven generation of both bride side and groom side are considered by the registrar.

There is no marriage between same clans here. Let it be known that there are total 12 gotras of Brahmins. The registrar gives the receipt of consent by writing on Banyan leaf which is called “Principle Paper”-

(सिध्दांत-पत्र). The principle paper (सिध्दांत-पत्र) has great importance in Mithilanchal region.

By the tradition, there is a belief in Mithila region that a girl married in ‘Sabha’ does not have to suffer the pain of widowhood. There is no solid authentic history available  as to when, how and who started the traditionally based Saurath Sabha. But it is believed that this tradition started many years ago. It is said that the last ruler of Mithila, Maharaja Haridev Singh used to hold debates and seminars with the youth in Saurath in the culturally conscious Madhubani district of North Bihar.

The number of Maithil Brahmins coming to establish matrimonial relations has decreased from the last many years. They arrange marriages at their home and are afraid of being cheated. The meeting was started so that evil practice of dowry could be ended. The Sabha was successful in achieving its great objective for many years.

Such meetings were held in Saurath, Samaula, Partapur, Bhakrain in Madhubani district and Sajhuar in Darbhanga, Bangaon, Mahishi, Baruari in Saharsa, Khamhar, Shuksena, Karka, Fatehpur, Batua in Purnia and Sasauli in Sitamarhi. Gradually all the marriages venue came to an end and only that was survived Saurath Sabha.

It is no less than a great travesty that under the ironious glamour of globalisation, Mithila is oblivious of its marvellous convention. At the same time it transmits some inevitable hope that deterioration of this great tradition has attracted the keen attention of some intellectuals who have accelerated their expedition in order to revive and preserve its glory. The irony is that the existence of Saurath Sabha is decreasing day by day. Counting the last breaths. 

Ofcourse it is a unique scientific tradition prevailing in the region of Mithila for centuries which attests the commendable culture,customs and above all the wisdom of Mithila inhabitants. Even the Vedic literature has approved of the same.