Sitalsasthi Festival: Sambalpur Celebrates the Divine Wedding with Cultural Fervor

The historic Sitalsasthi festival is in full swing in Sambalpur, Odisha, drawing thousands of devotees. Tonight, the barat procession of Lord Mahadev will proceed to the home of Mother Parvati, where a couple symbolically assumes the roles of Parvati’s parents to conduct the wedding rituals.Sambalpur has become a hub of festivities, with cultural troupes from various states participating. A unique highlight is the transgender ramp show, featuring participants in stunning sarees and dresses, captivating the audience. The fashion show, organized by the Sambalpur Daleipada Gupteswar Baba’s Yatra Committee at Gangadhar Mandap, adds to the vibrant celebration.Sitalsasthi marks the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, as detailed in the Shiva Purana, and is celebrated with immense enthusiasm over five days, attracting a vast array of artists and spectators.