Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has sanctioned an additional ₹50 lakh as financial assistance for the grand celebration of the Sital Sasthi festival in Sambalpur, a city known for its deep-rooted cultural traditions.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister said, “Sital Sasthi is an integral part of our rich cultural heritage. I am pleased to sanction ₹50 lakh to enhance the grandeur of this sacred festival that celebrates the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.”
This fresh grant comes in addition to the previously sanctioned ₹1.08 crore by the state government for the organization of the annual festivities in the western Odisha city. According to officials, the funds will be distributed among various organizing committees responsible for conducting the elaborate rituals and cultural processions associated with the divine wedding.
The five-day festival began today with the ritual of ‘Patarpendi’, symbolizing the engagement of the deities. The divine marriage ceremony is scheduled for May 31, and the festivities will conclude on June 2 with the temple entry of the divine couple, marking the end of the sacred union’s public celebrations.
Recognized as one of Odisha’s most vibrant cultural events, Sital Sasthi attracts thousands of devotees and tourists to Sambalpur and nearby areas. The festival is renowned not just for its spiritual significance but also for its community-led organization, where citizens host and enact the wedding of the deities with great devotion and festivity.
