| SITAL
SHASHTI |
|
| Celebrated In
: Brahmin Villages of Orissa |
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| Also known as
: Sasans or Sitalasasthi |
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| Falls on : Jyeshta Shukla Sasthi (May -June) |
|
| Important
Place of Observance : Sambalpur or Bhubaneswar |
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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. |
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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'. |
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| 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. |
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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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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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