SAMBALPUR: ‘Thala Utha’ ritual in Shivalayas in the city marked the preparation for upcoming Sital Sasthi Yatra on the auspicious Akshaya Tritiya on Saturday. The Sital Sasthi Yatra, a symbolic marriage between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, will be held on May 29.
The ritual was performed with much fanfare in three prominent Shiva temples, including Loknath Baba at Jhaduapada, Balunkeshwar Baba at Nandapada and Jageswar Baba at Mudipada besides in other major Shivalayas of the city.
As per the tradition, the parents of Goddess Parvati, who will solemnise the marriage, were selected.
This year, Panchanan Sahu and his wife Minakshi of Deheripali will act as bride parents of Loknath Baba while Nilamani Bidyadhar and Labanya of Hatpada will perform the role of in-laws of Balunkeshwar Baba. Similarly, Satyanarayan Nanda and his wife Nandita of Mudipada will be Kanyapita and Kanyamata for Jageswar Baba.