Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announces Rs 50 lakh financial grant from CM fund for promotion of Sital Sasthi festival in western Odisha.
This comes a fortnight after the state government allocated Rs 1.8 crore for celebration of Sital Sasthi yatra, by 21 committees in western Odisha, including Sambalpur city and nearby areas, with an aim to preserve and promote Odia culture, heritage and traditional festivals.
Sital Sasthi commemorates the divine wedding of Lord Shiva with his consort, Goddess Pravati, which is believed to bring prosperity and well-being. It is organised in Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Balangir, Bargarh, and Barpali. The festival also celebrated folk traditions of the state.
Taking to his X handle, Majhi wrote: “‘Sital Sasthi’ is a unique to our culture and tradition. To add grandeur to the festival and expand its outreach, the Chief Minister announces a financial grant of Rs 50 lakh.”
‘ଶୀତଳ ଷଷ୍ଠୀ ଯାତ୍ରା’ ଆମ ସଂସ୍କୃତି, ପରମ୍ପରାର ଅନନ୍ୟ ବାର୍ତ୍ତାବହ। ଦେବ ଦେବ ମହାଦେବ ଓ ମାତା ପାର୍ବତୀଙ୍କ ବିବାହ ଉତ୍ସବ ଐତିହ୍ୟ ସମ୍ପନ୍ନ ‘ଶୀତଳ ଷଷ୍ଠୀ’ ଯାତ୍ରାକୁ ଆହୁରି ଭବ୍ୟ କରିବା ସହ ଏହାର ପ୍ରଚାର, ପ୍ରସାର ପାଇଁ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ନିଜସ୍ୱ ପାଣ୍ଠିରୁ ୫୦ ଲକ୍ଷ ଟଙ୍କାର ଆର୍ଥିକ ଅନୁଦାନ ପ୍ରଦାନ କରିବାକୁ ଘୋଷଣା କରୁଛି।… pic.twitter.com/APeyRa6sjI
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) May 29, 2025
In a video message, Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, who is also the Sambalpur MP, extended invitation to people of the state to participate in the festivities, starting Friday. The divine wedding will take place on May 31 night, and it will be followed by the homecoming procession to their temple from June 1 night to June 2 evening.
In Sambalpur, Nandapada Sital Sasthi committee is set to showcase a 1.5 quintal silver pandal where the divine marriage will take place. Around 1,800 folk artistes will perform Dulduli, Samprada, Ganta, Shabar, Kantara, Mayur, Aghori, Galpa, Ghumura, Purulia Chhau, Dambaru, Jodi Shankha and Danda Nacha.
Chariots will feature tableaux of Kalabhairava, Panchamukhi Hanuman and Rameshwaram. Tableaux themed on Sambhaji Maharaj and Operation Sindoor will also be displayed.
Over 2,700 artistes will participate in Jhaduapada Sital Sasthi yatra. Dance troupes from Kolkata, Assam, and Puri’s Jagannath Bhakti Nrutya Mandali will perform on two mobile stages. Chariots will display themes like Aghori idols, Bramhos, S-400 missile, Rafale fighter jet, and a massive Nandi idol apart from other tableaux.
The grand celebration at Mudipara Jageswar Baba Sital Sasthi committee will feature Mayur Singhasan (peacock throne), Hanuman’s chariot, and the Ram-Sita Rath adorned with the Neel Chakra. Over 3,000 artistes will participate in the procession, according to a TNIE report.
