TV
With invitation cards printed, wedding finery purchased, and the aroma of festive cooking in the air, Sambalpur is abuzz with excitement as the city prepares to celebrate Sital Sasthi, one of western Odisha’s most revered festivals, which marks a ceremonial reenactment of the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
In this unique cultural tradition, local families symbolically take on the role of the bride’s parents, hosting the deity's wedding with elaborate rituals, gifts, and fanfare.
This year, Truptibhushan Sahani, a resident of Sambalpur, has been given the honour of playing Kanyapita, the father of the divine bride.
“At our house, it feels just like a real wedding,” says Sahani. “We’ve bought sarees, silverware, traditional ornaments, even the damaru of Lord Shiva. Everything that would go into a daughter’s wedding has been arranged.”
The home is now a hive of activity, with relatives arriving from near and far to help with the preparations.
From cooking to decorations, every member of the extended family is involved. “There’s joy in every corner of the house,” says Jyotsnamayi Mohanty, the symbolic mother of the bride.
“Friends and family are coming together to celebrate not just a tradition, but a moment of spiritual pride,” she added.
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Festive Spirit All Around
Sital Sasthi is more than just a festival and is a celebration of community, faith, and heritage. To match the festive spirits, the streets of Sambalpur soon will resonate with folk songs, devotional music, and processions as the entire city becomes part of the sacred union.
Local residents and tourists alike look forward to witnessing the vibrant rituals, which culminate in a grand procession welcoming Lord Shiva to his in-laws’ home.
The ceremonial wedding, marked by authenticity and devotion, is a part of the deep-rooted cultural legacy of Odisha, and Sital Sasthi is one such hallmark festivity.
