The most important tradition Thala Utha that marks the beginning of Sital Sasthi festival began on Tuesday night in various temples here and also in the nearby districts. like Ratha Anukula in Puri on the day of Akshaya Trutiya, Thala Utha for Sital Sasthi is an important event to begin the annual festival marking the divine marriage of lord Siva with mother Parvati.
“The ritual signifies that the Sital Sasthi is just a month away. The preliminary preparation began on the day of Akshay Trutiya with Thala Utha,” said Byomakesh Panda of Modipara Yatra Committee. On the day of Thala Utha, the main priest of the respective temples accompanied by the seniors of the Para and members of the Yatra committee move round inside the Para with a tray (Thala) to collect donations from the households for the divine marriage. Before that a Puja is performed where the residents of the Para take part with all interest and devotion.
With Thala Utha, the father and mother of Maa Parvati popularly known as Kanyapita and Mata have become quite active to prepare for the marriage. They take it as a matter of good and rare luck to done the roles which come to them with a lot of competition and long wait. “I feel happy to become the Kanyapita for the current year,” said Dr Chakradhar Dhar. Dr Dhar will perform the marriage of lord Jageswar of Modipara this year in his Anuguliapara (Ainthapali) residence. Similarly all other Kanyapitas and Matas are also in a jubilant mood as was seen on the day of Thala Utha in different temple premises.
In Sambalpur town, the divine marriage of lord Jageswar Baba of Modipara, lord Sitaleswar of Badabazar, lord Pahadeswar of Budharaja, lord Somanath of Balibandha, Sri Bam Barada Balunjeswar of Nandapara, lord Sri lokanath of Jharuapara, Sri Gudeswara of Durgapali, and Sri Gupteswar of Thakurpara is performed with gaiety and grandeur every year.