Love in lacquer: Puppets tie the knot in Balasore temple
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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.
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