Finally, the much-awaited auspicious moment arrived on Friday. Dev Dev Mahadev tied nuptial knot with Jagatjanani Maa Parvati on the Sital Sasthi at Sambalpur and most other parts of the western Odisha. To witness the Deva Dampati (divine couple) and have their blessings, devotees from far and wide thronged the town here amidst a good weather condition due to the onset of monsoon.
As per an arrangement, Bam Barada Balunkeswar of Nandapara, Sri lokanath Baba of Jharuapara, Sri Jageswar Baba of Mudipara, Sri Sitaleswar of Badabazar, Sri Gupteswar of Thakurpara, Sri Gudeswar, Sri Somanath and Sri Pahadeswar went to their respective father-in law’s houses in a procession. like the normal marriages, the Kanyapita (father of Maa Parvati) and his relations and neighbours greeted the lord and the Baraat accompanying him. Needless to mention, good and tasty foods were served to the wedding party members.
The amazing marriage procession was worth seeing in the roads of the town that included everything to soothe the summer-hit nerves of the
people.
Folk dance, fold music, Dhool, Nisan Tasa, Ghoda Nacha, Bagha Nacha and all other sorts of dance and music troupes took part in the marriage procession of the lord. After end of the marriage, the home coming procession was also equally attractive even more than the Baraat procession.
The eunuchs, who are an integral part of the Sital Sasthi festival, also added to the amusement of the people. They got divided into many groups and danced.
They believe that dancing in front of Mahadev during the Baraat and also in front of the Deva Dampati during the home coming procession after marriage could redeem their sin and free them from their cursed life.
“We want to appease the lord during the marriage so that our next birth will be normal one by his blessings,” said Gita, a eunuch.
“Even if this festival is celebrated every year, but people witnessed this year’s gala event with full devotion and added zeal. They take it as a luck to see the Jugalmutry of the Deva Dampati
(Mahadev and Maa Parvati in nuptial knot),” said Yatra Coordination Committee president Khadiratna Behera here. People have to wait for another year to witness the holy occasion, Behera added.
During the marriage procession and home coming, tight security arrangement was made to control the rush. “The town was divided into various temporary out posts for smooth completion of the festival,” informed Sambalpur SP Pratik Mohanty.