Bhubaneswar: A deeply revered tradition continued today as the Odisha Cooperative Tassar Silk Federation Limited (SERIFED) dispatched 350 kg of sacred Basunga Pata to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri. This significant offering, crucial for the upcoming Rath Yatra and other temple rituals, underscores the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Odisha.
The flag-off ceremony was graced by the Minister, Co-operation Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts, Shri Pradeep Bala Samanta, who personally oversaw the sacred work.
He was joined by Director Textiles, Shri Prem Chandra Chaudhary, and other senior officials, highlighting the governmental support for this age-old custom.
Before its journey to the temple, Minister Shri Samanta, Director Shri Chaudhury, and departmental officers performed a devotional worship, offering incense, lamps, and flowers, sanctifying the silk with profound reverence. Shri Chaudhury is an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath.
Basunga Pata holds immense religious significance, revered as a sacred and potent silk thread indispensable for the Rath Jatra of Chaturdhamurti (Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Chakraraj Sudarshan) and various other temple festivals. It is meticulously crafted into essential items for the deities, including Vijay Doris (victory threads), Paita (sacred threads), and Rakshi (protective bands).
SERIFED has been a steadfast supplier of this vital Basunga Pata to the Puri Temple Administration since 1981, maintaining a continuous link to this spiritual practice. This year’s supply of 350 kg reflects the ongoing commitment to fulfilling the temple’s requirements.
The production of Basunga Pata is a remarkable testament to indigenous craftsmanship and tribal heritage. It is exclusively made from mulberry silk cocoons, primarily cultivated by tribal silk farmers in the Mohana and R. Udaygiri blocks of Gajapati district. The distinctive reddish hue of the Basunga Pata is achieved through a traditional dyeing process using a paste derived from kaitha fruits, meticulously collected from Koraput district.
Once collected, these cocoons are processed by SERIFED at their state-of-the-art Silk Production & Technical Upgradation Centre in Nuapatna, Cuttack district. The Basunga Pata is prepared with the utmost care and dedication, strictly for the religious ceremonies of the temple, emphasizing its sacred nature and ensuring it is not utilized for any commercial purposes. The SJTA also receives Basunga Pata in the form of dori, as per their specific needs.
The auspicious event was attended by other senior officials including Director Handicrafts, Smt. Pranati Chottray, Joint Secretary Smt. Madhumita Rath, SERIFED Chairman Shri Bhagirathi Nanda, and Managing Director, Shri Vikramaditya Barik, all witnessing the continuation of this cherished religious tradition.