Patara (caste)

Patra or Patara is a caste found in the Odisha State of India.^[1][2] They are a synonym of Ashwini & Kapudia community,^[3][4] both are same by culture and profession.Some of them are the sebak of Lord Jagannath. Traditionally silk weavers and they are petty traders^[5] inside and outside of the village. They trade in cotton and silk yarn, vermilion, and sacred threads meant for various rites and rituals. Many among the Brahmins also have patra as surname . They are also required to supply these materials to the village deity and also to the Hindu caste people of the village on various ceremonial such as religious occasions. Cast Symbols- Sri Mandira Dhwaja including Nilachakra. Cast Deity- Lord Balabhadra

Patra

Regions with significant populations
India
Languages
Odia
Related ethnic groups
Bhulia, Tanti

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Social life

There are four sub-divisions named, 1-Aswini Patara, 2-Asini Patara , 3-Gaudia Patara & 4- Fulara Patara. They used the surnames includes; Kotual, Ash, Mohapatra, Behera, Baisakha, Guin, Patra, Paramanik, Naha, Tosh, Sahoo, Das, pal, Dalal, Hati, Nayak, Sahu etc but Mohapatra,Patra, Sahu, Behera are little bit different from other titles because they are the sebak of Lord jagannath.The Raksha Bandhan is the major festival of Patara & Kapudia community, Other than Raksha Bandhan The religious festivals like Pana Sankranti, Kanak Durga Puja and Hara Gouri Puja are also associated with the people of Patara community.

Generally women of above three patara are not wear "Nath" (Nose ring) but women of Fulara Patara wear Nath.

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