Latest news with #ChandanJha
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
SDO reviews Shrawan Somvari arrangements
Madhubani: Officials were directed to ensure water supply, medical aid, parking, drainage and electrical safety during Shrawan Somvari 2025. A meeting to review the preparations for the event was held at Ugna Mahadev Temple in Pandaul block on Tuesday. Chandan Jha, sub-divisional officer (SDO) of Madhubani Sadar, chaired the meeting and instructed departments to remain alert throughout the monthlong religious observance. Shrawan begins on July 11 with the first Monday falling on July 14 when Shiva temples witness a surge in devotees. Public health engineering department (PHED) was asked to install hand pumps and submersible pumps at key points while the block development officer (BDO) was tasked with ensuring proper drainage around the temple premises. To handle emergencies, the medical officer in charge at Pandaul was asked to station an ambulance with a doctor and essential medicines at the temple every Sunday during the festival. Vehicle parking arrangements and reinforcement of electrical wiring around the premises were also emphasised. The SDO stressed the need for coordination among all departments to ensure a safe and orderly experience for devotees.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Saurath Sabha inaugurated amid dwindling relevance
Madhubani: Though diminished in spirit, the tradition of Saurath Sabha continues to survive in form. On Wednesday, the ceremonial inauguration of this historic event was carried out by Sadar SDO Chandan Jha, keeping the age-old custom formally alive. Saurath Sabha is a centuries-old matrimonial convention held annually at Saurath village, situated around 6 km northeast of Madhubani. Traditionally conducted during the Hindu months of Jyestha-Aasadh (June–July), the gathering was once a grand affair, drawing thousands of Maithil Brahmins who convened to arrange marriages for their children. The sabha is held in a 22-acre mango orchard called Sabha Gachhi, a site generously donated by the erstwhile Maharaja of Darbhanga. A key feature of this event is the presence of Panjikars—genealogists—who authenticate family lineages from ancient records to ensure there is no blood relation between prospective couples. Only after such verification is an Asvajajanapatra (no-objection certificate) issued, permitting the marriage. Once attracting crowds in the lakhs, the popularity of Saurath Sabha has sharply declined in recent decades. Factors like modernization, growing acceptance of inter-caste marriages, and unfavourable portrayal by the media as a "groom market" have contributed to its fall in relevance.
