like the beginning of the preparation for Rath Yatra in Puri on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, a similar ritual has also began on the same day at Sambalpur for the famous Sital Sasthi Yatra where lord Siva will tie the nuptial knot with Maa Parvati.
‘Thalautha,’ the first ritual for the divine marriage, began in most of the temples here in Sambalpur where lakhs of people took part with total devotion to witness the ‘divine unification’ of the ‘Prakriti’ with ‘Purusha’.
As per the tradition, the priest of the temple, the father of the bridegroom (Kanya Pita) and senior members of the concerned Pada, after completion of Puja move round in their respective locality with a Thala (tray) to collect fund for the divine marriage. And the people with all devotion and interest also donate to their capacity. This is called ‘Thalautha’.
On the same day, selection of Kanya Pita and Kanya Mata is also made and people take it both as pleasure and luck to done the roles. Just one month after, the marriage of lord Siva with Parvati will be held in the residence of the Kanya Pita as per the Hindu tradition. It is also an expensive affair.
Needless to mention that the Kanya Pita remains busy for the entire month for preparation of the marriage as it is in no way less than the marriage in a home of their son or daughter.
The Thalautha ritual was completed in Nandapara, Jharuapada, Modipada, Thakurpada, Bada Bazar, Balibandha and a few other temples.
