Six widows observe Sabitri, a ritual for married women

Kendrapada, May 26 (UNI) Contrary to the hindu belief that 'Sabitri Brata' is exclusively performed by married women for their spouses, six widows today observed the rituals at Kharanashi village of coastal Mahakalapada in the district.

According to locals, eight Bengali fishermen, including six married ones of Kharanshi village, who had gone for fishing in a vessel inside the Bay of Bengal met watery grave along on July 14,1992, after they were caught in a cyclone in the mid-sea.

The rescue operation could only locate the ill-fated boat but failed to trace the eight fishermen. The spouses of the six missing fishermen, however, are still not prepared to accept the reality that they are widows.

They are still putting vermillion on their forehead, wearing mangal sutras and bangles while waiting patiently for their husband to return one day.

Even though the widows as per the Hindu customs are not allowed to observe the religious festival of ''Sabitri Brata,'' these six desperate women have been celebrating the rituals for the last 13 years with the believe that their husbands are still alive.

''We have been celebrating the Sabitri Brata for the good fortune and long life of our spouses, said Kanan Mandal while another woman Devi Haldar said that she has been observing Sabitri Brata with the hope that her husband would surely return one day with the blessing of Goddess Sabitri.

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