A marriage without guests is next to impossible. This also happens in the Sital Sasthi here that marks a divine marriage of lord Siva with Mother Parvati. It takes place every year on the sixth day (Sasthi) of the bright fortnight of Jyestha.
The guests on the celestial marriage are lord Bishu, Sri Sakhi Gopinath, Dadhibaban, Radha Krishna, Sri Gopalji, Maa Mahamaya and many deities. The presiding deity of every temple in the nook and corner of the district takes part in the lord's marriage after getting due invitation. Not only human being, Gods and Goddess also wait for the day to witness the event and seek blessings of Dev Dev Mahadev and Maa Parvati.
The process of invitation to the Gods is also equally interesting. For Bambarad Balunkeswar of Nandapara, lord Nrushingha moves round the temples of the town to invite the Gods. And for the rest others, lord Hanuman invites the Gods. "Every tradition is unique here. And there is a reason behind," says Phanibhusan Mishra, an organiser of Sital Sasthi Yatra committee.
The invitation ceremony is also unique. The members of the Yatra committee accompanied by band patries, Dhol, Madal, and Tasa go to the temples with lord Hanuman leading them to invite other Gods. The tradition is well known as 'Deva Nimantrana.' The Rangas (eunuchs) dance to their heart's content during the Dava Nimantrana and on other occasions associated with the marriage.
Meanwhile, on Sunday night, the Deva Nimantrana was completed in all the temples of the town. The most awaited marriage would be held on Monday night.The house of the 'Kanyapita' is also filled with joy as he and his wife take it as a matter of luck to done the role of father and mother of the Divine Mother at least once in their life time.
The couple would perform the 'Kanyadan' (marry off daughter Parvati) akin to what happens in case of human beings. "We feel proud to become Kanyapita and Kanyamata. It is nothing but a blessing of the Mother Parvati on us who is now a daughter in our home," says Niranjan Reddy of Cheruapara performing the marriage this time as Kanyapita.