Sital Sasthi: Divine marriage of Shiva & Parbati solemnised

Sambalpur/Bhubaneswar: Like every year, the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and goddess Parbati was solemnized as per the Vedic rituals on the auspicious occasion of Sital Sasthi in Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar and other parts of the state late on Monday night.

Hundreds of devotees thronged the place in Sambalpur to witness the divine wedding, which is conducted like a real marriage with people from different families playing the role of parents.

On the occasion, wedding processions were taken from various Shivalayas with pomp and celebrations. The groom reached the bride's house in a grand procession. The couple, who performed the role of Parbati's parents, offered the hand of their daughter to Lord Shiva. The marriage ended with the tying of the couple's hands with a sacred thread amidst recital of Vedic chants by priests.

Another procession, which marks the homecoming of the deities after the marriage, will be held tonight. The festival was also celebrated in several other parts of the state, including Bolangir and Bhubaneswar. In the capital city, Lord Lingaraj's marriage was solemnised with goddess Parvati at Kedareswar Temple amidst fanfare.