Patna: The sight of yellow dhotis, devotional chants and the aroma of prasad replacing khaki uniforms and routine police activity is an unusual annual spectacle at Gopalganj’s Kuchaikote police station. Every Shrawan Purnima, the police station premises turn into a venue for a traditional Sati Puja, drawing a large number of local residents.The puja is believed by villagers and police personnel to be part of a tradition more than 160 years old, dating back to around 1865 during the British era. Held every year on Rakshabandhan, or Shrawan Purnima, the ceremony brings police personnel and villagers together for the rituals.One of its most distinctive features is the role of the station house officer. The officer in charge of Kuchaikote police station puts aside the khaki uniform, wears a yellow dhoti and performs the rituals as the yajman, or principal devotee.Kuchaikote SHO Darpan Suman said, “The tradition is linked to an incident involving Kawal Yadav, then station in charge of Kuchaikote, who allegedly died suddenly around 1865. Villagers prepared his funeral pyre and placed his body on it. However, despite repeated attempts, the pyre failed to catch fire.”When Kawal’s wife learned about the situation, she reached the cremation site. According to local belief, she took her husband’s body into her lap and sat on the funeral pyre. The pyre subsequently caught fire on its own.“Locals associate the incident with the story of Sati Mata and believe that the site where the incident occurred later became associated with the temple and police station premises,” the SHO said.The account, however, remains part of local faith and oral tradition, and its historical details have not been independently verified.Preparations for the Shrawan Purnima ceremony begin well in advance. Police personnel make arrangements alongside their regular duties, while villagers also actively participate in organising the event.Following the rituals, prasad is distributed among devotees and a community feast is organised. People from surrounding areas visit the premises seeking the blessings of Sati Mata and praying for the fulfilment of their wishes.For police personnel, the event is also an opportunity to strengthen their bond with the local community.Local resident Krishna Yadav said police staff and villagers jointly organise the annual puja. Residents maintain the tradition has continued since 1865 and is observed with enthusiasm every Shrawan Purnima.
