SAMBALPUR: The three-day long Sital Sasthi Yatra commenced with the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, which was solemnised here on Sunday night according to Vedic rituals. The rituals performed during the festival resemble the ones that are followed in marriage of real life couples. On the auspicious occasion, two married couples are chosen to play the role of parents of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
This year, Mohan Sundar Supkar and his wife Sanjukta Supkar of Jharuapada acted as the in-laws of Loknath Baba of Jharuapada, while Purnendu Kumar Tripathy and his wife Jyotirmayee Tripathy of Nandapada played the role of in-laws for Balunkeswar Baba of Nandapada.Similarly, Seshadev Rath and his wife Nibeditarani Rath of Mudipada got the chance of being in-laws for Jageswar Baba of Mudipada. The groom was taken to the bride’s place in a grand procession. People kept awake throughout the night to witness the celestial marriage.
The bride’s father or the Kanyapita gave dowry, comprising jewellery and furniture, to the groom’s family. Members of the ‘baarat’ were offered food. The festival wears a carnival-like look. It will end on Tuesday afternoon. During the initial years, the festival was being celebrated at Somnath Temple at Balibandha here. Later, it was organised at the temple of Balunkeswar Baba.
Over the years, the festival grew bigger. It is now being celebrated at various temples, including the temple of Loknath Baba. It is being organised at the temple of Jageswar Baba since 1978. The same is observed for Koshaleswar Baba of Budharaja, Gupteswar Baba of Thakurpada, Sitaleswar Baba of Badbazaar and Sapneswar Baba of Sakhipada.
With the arrival of devotees from different parts of the State, the streets get crowded with revellers.
The local markets are also crowded as revellers throng these places to purchase items, needed for observing the festival.