The much-awaited marriage of Mother Parvati with lord Shiva was completed in different places of Sambalpur town with much gaiety on the wee hours of Saturday.
Sambalpur is famous in the State for the event which is known as Sital Sasthi festival celebrated with total devotion and sanctity amidst chanting of mantra and sloka by the priests. Those who make the Kanyadan as Kanyapita (father of Maa Parvati) take it as a good luck and pride as they become the father of the divine Mother. It is for a short while though.
On Friday night, lord Mahadev in different temples went to the house of his father- in law in vast procession accompanied by dance and music. The important personalities of the Paras were in the forefront of the Barats. The Kanyapitas were also ready to give a warm welcome to lord Mahadev and His Barat party.
Needless to mention, grand dinners were given with tasty and sacred food of all varieties. The house of Dr Chakradhar Dhar and Narayani Padhi of Anuguliapara in Ainthapali was full of guests and family members to welcome lord Shiva and the Barat. Dr Dhar and Padhi were the bride’ parents for lord Jageswar Baba of Modipara this year. “It is blessing of the Goddess who is our daughter today. We feel really fortunate to give the hands of our daughter (Parvati) to lord Shiva. We can’t forget the occasion throughout our life time,” said Dr Dhar and Padhi with tearful eyes.
Similar was the ambience in the houses of all other Kanyapitas who celebrated the occasion either in their own houses or in Kalyan Mandaps of the town. Marriage gift or dowry like jewelries, utensils, beds, new sarees and clothes were also given. like Jageswar Baba of Modipara, the marriages of lord Bambarada Balunkeswar of Nandapara, Sri lokanath Baba of Jharuapara , Sri Somanath Baba of Balibandha, Sri Sitaleswara of Badabazar, Sri Gupteswar of Thakurpara, Sri Gudeswar of Durgapali, Sri Pahadeswar of Budharaja, Sri Omkareswar of Sakhipara, Sri Rameswar of Danibandha and many other temples were completed.