Union min in Sambalpur for Sital Sasthi festival

Sambalpur: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday visited Sambalpur to participate in Sital Sasthi festival, which marks the marriage ceremony of the Lord Shiva with his consort goddess Parvati.Although the marriage of the divine couple was solemnised late on Wednesday night, the newlyweds embarked on a procession through the city on Thursday evening before entering temples on Friday afternoon. This procession, known as ‘Nagar Parikrama’ is a traditional part of Sital Sasthi festival, allowing the people to witness the ‘Jugal Murti’. The Union minister witnessed the newly-wed deities at the marriage mandaps.Speaking to the media, the minister said, “Sambalpur has been celebrating the festival for centuries. It is one of such festivals when the deities venture out of the temples to bless their devotees. The festival promotes brotherhood.” He extended wishes for a joyous celebration of the festival.The city streets bustled with people for the Nagar Parikrama. This year, around 10,000 artistes from across the country have been invited by different Sital Sasthi Yatra organising committees of the city to perform during the Nagar Parikrma, also known as the home-coming procession of the divine couple. The artistes sing and dance and accompany the divine couple during the carnival.