Sital Sasthi 2023 date and time – Sambalpur, Barpali Siba Bibaha festival
Sital Sasthi can be called the Siba Bibaha festival, mainly observed in Sambalpur and Barpali (Bargarh). Sital Sasthi 2023 date is May 24 (Wednesday) and the time is fixed by Joint Co-ordination Committee. The festival celebrates the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is observed on the 6th day during the ‘Shukla Paksha’ in the Jyestha month of the traditional Hindu calendar.
The much-awaited annual Sital Sasthi festival rituals will begin on May 20 and the divine marriage will take place on the 24th of May. The homecoming procession of the divine couple to their temple would start on May 25 night and continue till May 26 afternoon.
One nominated family acts as the father and mother of Goddess Parvati and offers the hands of Devi Parvati for marriage with Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva starts his marriage procession along with other Gods and Goddesses from his temple. and Lord Nrusingha takes charge and leads the procession to the bride’s residence. The family of the Goddesses welcomes the barat procession. The idols are kept in a beautifully decorated palanquin, the father and mother and other relatives of Goddess Parvati perform the ‘Kanyadana’ and the marriage is solemnised. The next day the procession returns to the temple with Devi Parvati.
Sital Sasthi Sambalpur 2023
“The entire town of Sambalpur is in a celebratory mood. The celebration is being observed peacefully at many padas, including Jhaduapada and Thakurpada. We hope that no law and order issues will arise at the festival’s conclusion,” said Sambalpur district Collector.
The ‘Aghori Dance’ performance by the artists from various states who were invited to participate in the parade was its main attraction. The performers dressed as Lord Shiva danced to the customary beats, energising the holiday spirit. Apart from that, the processions that were led from various padas showcased the rich art and culture of Odisha.
Sital Sasthi Bhubaneswar 2023
In Bhubaneswar, Lord Lingaraj’s marriage was also formally celebrated at the same time. The representative idol of Lord Lingraja was seated in a gorgeously painted palanquin after being ornamented, and the procession moved in the direction of Kedargouri shrine. The Lord and his companions were welcomed there. Later, the ‘Bata Barani’ ritual was performed. The divine couple was then got married in accordance with tradition.
Sital Sasthi celebrated in which state
People want to know about where Sital Sasthi is observed. The answer is the festival is observed at all Shiva temples in Odisha. It was not just a spiritual or devotional occasion, but like any other wedding ceremony, there was much fun and celebration. While the Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar drew maximum visitors, it was Sambalpur that, as always, was the hotspot of the revelry for the festival in Odisha. All small and big temples in other towns and cities, too, hosted the event. But the splendor of Sambalpur’s celebration was unmatched.
What is the difference between Shivratri and Sital Sasthi
People also want to know about the difference between Shivratri and Sital Sasthi. The answer is Parvati performed rigorous puja for Shiva. Lord Shiva finally decided to marry Parvati on this day. The day is celebrated as Maha Shivratri, while Sital Sasthi is celebrated to commemorate the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, as stated in the Siva Purana.
More than 10,000 artists from across Odisha, as well as neighboring States, were invited by Jhaduapada, Nandapada, Mudipada, Badbazar, and Thakurpada Sital Sasthi Yatra Committees to perform in the Sital Sasthi carnival. The artists will perform for 14 hours on moving vehicles and on the road en route to the respective temples of the divine couple.
“It was delightful to see the divinity transform as mortals and follow their ways. In fact, the DJs playing at the wedding of deities was the most surprising part,” said a young devotee. The scorching heat failed to deter locals from participating in the Sital Sasthi carnival. The carnival draws huge crowds from across the State including neighboring Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
The homecoming procession of the divine couple is considered one of the oldest cultural carnivals in the country. Nandapara Utkalia Brahmin celebrating Sital Sasthi since 1782 CE, while the Jharua Brahmin of Jharuapara is celebrating since 1620 CE. Modipara Committee celebrating since 1977 CE. Briefing the media on the preparations, the SSICC president said that an estimated budget of Rs 1 crore 15 lakhs has been drawn up for the Sital Sasthi festival.
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