Saurath Sabha

[1] It is an important social event in India that is focused on arranged marriages between Maithil men and women according to a reading of their lineage history by the registrars (Panjikars).

Later in the 17th century, when the house of Thakurs was set on fire by outsiders, they transferred the records of families to other Shishyas, who now look after the marriage registration and are known as Panjipara.

In the 18th century, a deputy commissioner stole 300 acres of land from the Thakurs, after taking fingerprints from Ravinath Tagore after his death.

The Maharaja of Mithila approved this idea and 14 villages were selected to hold these events, known as sabhas: Saurath, Khanagadi, Partapur, Sheohar, Govindpur, Fattepur, Sajhaul, Sukhasana, Akhdari, Hemnagar, Balua, Baruali, Samsaul, and Sasaula.

Almost every year, during the suddha - favourable days for the arrangement of marriages - thousands of Maithil Brahmins gather at Sabha Gaachchi in Saurath.

The timing and number of days are decided during a meeting between the scholars and pandits of Mithila in accordance with the traditional astrological almanac, Pachanga.

After reaching the dera the father or guardian of the bride begins searching for a suitable groom with the help of his relatives and a ghatak (middleman).