With Patarpendi (betrothal) in various temples of lord Siva having been performed, the famous festival of Sital Sasthi began in Sambalpur from Monday night. Patarpendi festival marks the beginning of the divine marriage of lord Siva with Mother Parvati here. At Nandapara, the Patarpendi for lord Bambarada Balunkeswar was completed as per the tradition with all sanctity and decorum. Similarly, the Patarpendi for Gudeswar Baba of Durgapali was also completed. “And on Tuesday night, it would be held in rest of the temples,” informed the Yatra organizers. Since the stage is set for the divine wedding, the next step to be taken is Deva Nimantran (invitation to Gods to the holy marriage) which would be held soon, informed Byomakesh Panda of Modipara Sital Sasthi Yatra committee.
On Monday night, the symbolic Bara Pita (father) of lord Siva Sarat Chandra Mishra accompanied by Sapta Rishis went in a colourful procession with a decorated chariot to the house of Kanyapita (father of Maa Parvati) Dr Ashok Kumar Nanda of Sasan. The important persons of the Pada were also in procession of Patarpendi. And needless to mention, the sound from Dulduli and all other traditional music changed the entire scenario. At the same time, the dance of eunuchs (Ranga) was an added attraction of the night.
The process of Patarpendi is also equally interesting. The father of the Knaya (Maa Paravti), at first declines to marry his daughter off to lord Siva as he has no house, lives in grave yards and has ghosts and spirits as companions. He also does not wear any attire. But when the Sapta Rishis (seven saints) describe the greatness and power of lord Siva and his contribution to the entire living kingdom, then the Kanyapita agrees to the marriage. And that exactly happened in the house of Dr Nanda of Sasan on Monday night.
Thereafter, the father of lord Siva gave Sargi Patra (Sal leaf) to the the Kanyapita and that is popularly known as Patarpendi here to confirm the marriage. The preist (Purohit) of the Patarpendi utsav of Nandapara, Sasanka Sekhar Mishra, who performed the Nirbandha in the house of the Kanypita said that the festival was being celebrated each year with total devotion. “The Kanaypita being a human being with flesh and blood feels proud of being the parent of Maa Parvati and also takes it as a matter of luck to perform the marriage at his house,” opined Mishra.