Sambalpur: The preliminary rituals for celebration of “Sital Sasthi” festival started rolling in Odisha’s Sambalpur on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya on Sunday.
As per the tradition, puja was offered in the temples of Balunkeswar Baba at Nandapada in the city, Loknath Baba at Jhaduapada, Jageswar Baba at Mudipada, Somnath Baba at Balibandha, Sitaleswar Baba at Bada Bazaar, Gupteswar Baba at Thakurpada, Oahadeswar Baba at Budharaja, Omkeswar Baba at Sakhipada, Mahakaeswar Baba at Gopalmal and Tarakeswar Baba at Sindurapanka.
After the puja and ‘arati’ of the deities, the sacred ‘Thala’ (plate) was given to the groom’s father as a gesture of permission to invite the devotees to attend the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. The groom side will now move from door to door to invite the guests and seek donations for solemnising the celestial marriage.
The yatra committees of different localities in the city also announced the names of the bride’s parents on the occasion.
The marriage of the Lords has been scheduled to be performed on May 23 and Sital Sasthi festival celebrated next day on May 24.
