One market in Bihar’s Madhubani district is dedicated to selling grooms to prospective brides. It is organised for a period of 9 days under Pipal trees in the local market area. Believe it or not! The tradition has been around for 700 years.
Locally known as “Saurath Sabha”, people from the Maithil Brahmin community from all across the district come to the market along with their daughters to select the grooms of their choice.
Thousands of grooms would be present along with their guardians in the “Saurath Sabha” wearing the traditional crimson dhoti and kurta or jeans and shirts. Each one will be priced based on their background and educational qualifications.
Before fixing the groom, the families verify the qualifications of the groom and their family background. They even ask for proof such as birth certificates, school certificates, etc. Once the bride selects the groom in “Saurath Sabha”, the conversation is initiated between families for further proceedings. The marriage rituals are completed by the girl’s family as soon as the groom is selected.
As per local beliefs, the practice of “Saurath Sabha” came into existence during the Karnat dynasty. It was started by Raja Hari Singh to facilitate marriages between people from different “gotras”. Another aim was to make weddings dowry-free. However, reports state that the practice of giving and taking dowry is very much prevalent in these marriages today.
