The marriage of the
divine Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is known as world famous festival “Sital
Sasthi” festival observed on this day i.e on 25.05.2023 in Sambalpur in the auspicious
hours of Thursday.
Thousands of publics from different portions of western Odisha and from neighboring district and state are witnessed and participated in the historic marriage party which was observed and celebrate widely with great pomp and gaiety.
Sitalsasthi is observed to
celebrate the marriage of Gouri and Shankar - as depicted in the Shiva
Purana. When Tarakasur was
causing terror and devastation all over the world (Swarga, Martiya and Patala), all
the Devata's approached Vishnu to find out a solution. Vishnu
was undone; as Bramha had bestowed a boon that Tarakasura can only be
killed by the son of Shiva. Tarakasura knew it well that after the death of his
first wife, Sati (Dakshayani), Shiva was left bereft, withdrew from the
world and roamed in the wilderness living a life of austerity and would never
have a son; further Shiva was in deep meditation. Vishnu suggested all the
Devatas to approach Shakti and request her to take birth as Parvati.
On the request of all the Devatas Shakti reincarnate herself as Sati (Parvati)
born as the daughter of Himalaya and grew into a supremely beautiful
young woman. Narada told
many stories of Shiva to Parvati and persuaded her to seek Shiva in marriage. Parvati
set in meditation, but even after ages passed Shiva's meditation could not be
broken. Again all the Devatas approached Vishnu to solve the problem. Suggested
by Vishnu, Kamadeva took his bow and threw a love arrow) at Shiva.
Shiva woke up and opened his third eye and burnt Kamadeva as a punishment;
since then Kamadeva took the shape of Ananga. But as a result of this Parvati's
meditation was fulfilled.
Before the marriage with Parvati,
Shiva wanted to test her, to know how deeply she loves him. He incarnated
himself as a batu brahmana (Short heighted Brahmin) and told Parvati that, Oh!
Parvati, you are young and beautiful, why do you choose to marry an old fellow
who lives in smasana (GraveYard), wears tree bark and snakes as ornaments. I
know that Maheswara (Shiva) you want to marry, a half naked fellow, looks ugly,
no one for sure knows his 'kula' and 'gotra', and how could you ever be happy
with such a nomad. Listening to the suggestion of the batu brahman she got
angry, and told Oh! Brahmana, ever after reading so much shastras you are still
ignorant about Shiva, how foolish you are? I am not bothered whether he is old
or young, ugly or handsome I am not marrying him of his handsomeness, I am
attracted towards him for his knowledge. I will not accept any one else other
than him in marriage. Satisfied with all his test, Shiva appeared in his divine
self. On the Jyeshta Shukla paksha Panchami they got married.
King Ajit Singh son of Chatra Sai
of the Chowhan dynasty (1695–1766) ruled Sambalpur. As he was a Vaishnava in
his belief & faith and used to spend a considerable amount time at Puri. He
wished to establish Sambalpur as a religious place according to the Vaidik
line. In the ancient time Saiva Upasak (those who worship Lord Shiva) Brahmins
were not present in Sambalpur kingdom. King Ajit Singh requested some
Utkal Srotriya Vaidik Brahmin families from Puri to settle at
Sambalpur Kingdom.They first settled at Nandapada locality of Sambalpur &
Ajitpur Sasan (present day Sasan Village).The king established several temples
in the area. Ajit Singh understood that Sambalpur was famous as a Saktipitha in
the ancient time, and the union of Shiva and Shakti were
worshipped. Dewan Daxina Ray suggested the king to establish and contribute
generously to the temples of the Astha Sambhu in the
area. The temple at Huma (The Leaning Temple of Huma) the abode of Lord
Vimaleswar the chief amongst the deities of the 'Asta Sambhu’ was already
re-built by King Baliar Singh on the ruins of ancient temple built by Ganga
Vamsi king Anangabhima Deva-III; later Ajit Singh built seven other temples for
the Sambhus. (Kedarnath of Ambabhona, Viswanatha of Deogaon, Balunkeshwar of
Gaisama, Mandhata of Maneswar, Swapneshwar of Sorna, Bisweshwara of Soranda and
Nilakantheswar of Nilji).
In sasana villages of Puri
Sitalsasti & Rukmini Vivah are two most important festival. The Utkal
Brahmins established their Ista Dev Lord Balunkeswar at Balibandha, Sambalpur
and first started Sitalsasti Jatra under royal patronage. Later Aranyaka
Brahmins who were primarily worship Jagannath and follow Vaishnava established
Loknath temple at Jhaduapada and started their own Sitalsasti Jatra.
King Ajit Singh patronaged the
Sitalsasthi Jatra/Yatra the marriage of Hara and Parvati at Sambalpur on the
Jyestha Sukla pakshya Panchami. The God and Goddess are married like human
beings. Thal Utha (Beginning), Patarpendi (Nirbandha), Guagunda (Invitation),
Ganthla Khula are observed religiously. As during the Ratha Yatra,
Jagannath is treated as a Ganadevata, likewise manner Shiva and Parvati
are also treated as Ganadevata during this festival.
The ceremony
One nominated family acts as the
father and mother of Parvati, and offers the hands of Parvati for marriage with
Shiva. Since Shiva is ‘Swayam Bhu’ no one acts as his father and mother.
Shiva starts his marriage
procession along with other Gods and Goddesses from his temple. And Nrusingha (Nrisimha)
takes charge and leads the procession to the bride's residence. The family of
the Goddesses welcome the barat procession (as we do in our marriages).
The idols are kept in a beautifully decorated palanquin, the father and mother
and other relatives of Parvati performs the 'Kanyadana' and the marriage
is solemnised. The next day the procession returns to the temple (Mandir
Pravesh) with Parvati. Folk dance, folk music, different forms of other dances
and music & different floats are the main attraction of this
carnival.
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