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This particular festival strictly prevalent among the
Brahmins of Orissa is generally observed in
Brahmin villages, popularly known as "Sasans" or in towns where
Brahmins are more in number.
The Legend
It is believed that Shiva or Hara became furious after 'Jagara Amavasya'
and He was cooled down only by marriage with Parvati. So, this marriage
festival of Shiva and Parvati is called "Sital" (cool) "Shasthi"
and is held on the sixth day of the bright fortnight of the month of
'Jyestha'.
Since the days of yore Orissa has been a seat of Shaivism.
Bhubaneswar
itself has about five hundred Shiva temples dating back from 6th-7th
century A.D. In the early temples of Bharateswar and
Parsurameswar
there are elaborate scenes of Shiva's marriage with Parvati. It is
therefore believed that this festival of Shiva's marriage is very ancient
and is being carried down through centuries past.
Main Ritual
In most Brahmin villages of Orissa there are temples of Shiva, Parvati
and Vishnu. During this festival the elderly Brahmins of the village act
as the parents of the bride ('Parvati') and the bridegroom (Shiva) and all
formalities of a Brahmin marriage are observed. In analogy with the
society-marriages where somebody acts as a mediator, here, Vishnu, the God
Himself takes the role.
At first a proposal (written on palm-leaf) is sent from the bride's side
to the bride-groom's father through 'Sevak' who also carries 'Mahaprasad'
(Food offering of Lord Jagannatha), coconut, betel nut, and a piece of new
cloth as prevalent in marriage customs. With him goes a procession of
torchbearers, drummers and pipers.
Thereafter, on the fifth day ('Panchami') at past mid-night Parvati goes
to the temple of Shiva in a procession where the marriage takes place with
all Vedic formalities. After the marriage is over a feast is arranged in
which the 'Sevayats' from both the sides participate.
The real festival takes place next day in the night when the marriage
procession is taken out with pomp and grandeur. The images of Parvati and
Vishnu are carried in a richly decorated palanquin ('Vimana') heading the
procession. Shiva, seated on a bull follows them on a bullock cart. At
crossroads and important places the procession halts and there is lavish
display of fire-works, dancing, drumming and various other kinds of
merry-making.
The Celebrations In Sambalpur & Bhubaneswar
Though this festival is held in the temples of Loknath at
Puri ,
Lingaraj at
Bhubaneswar
and in most of the important Brahmin villages, it is observed in a grand
scale at Sambalpur where two groups of
Brahmins exhibit rare enthusiasm to organise it with keen competitive
spirit.
During the procession lavishly decorated tableaus are brought out.
Traditional and local dance and music parties are engaged to move with the
procession. Varieties of fire works are displayed. Each group tries its
utmost to excel the other in every respect. The procession terminates at
the respective temples and the
festival ends.
On this day the town of Sambalpur wears
a festive look. Thousands of people congregate from different parts of the
district to witness the deities in procession. In the Puranas it has been
said that one is expiated of all sins if he sees the Gods in procession.
Therefore, there is a natural attraction for the common villagers to see
the mounted deities in procession.
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