Sambalpur, May 23: Thousands of devotees gathered here to witness the divine wedding between Lord Shiva and Parvati, which was solemnised on the auspicious occasion of Sital Sasthi on Friday night.

The barayatri (groom's kith and kin) procession of Lord Shiva came out from different Shiva temples of the city on Friday night. Thousands of devotees accompanied Lord Shiva. Artistes from across the state as well as neighbouring states, who had congregated here for the divine marriage, performed the rites during the procession with great enthusiasm.

The marriage of the deities was solemnised as per Vedic rituals.

The whole festival is conceived as a real marriage of a man with a woman from two different families with two of the eminent persons of the city playing the role of parents of Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati respectively.

As kanya daan, (the handing over of the bride to the groom's family) is considered auspicious; there is heavy competition among those who are keen to perform the marriage of the bride.

The festival committees decide on the bride's parents from among a long list of people. And like most marriages, the kanyapita (bride's father) also gives dowry. All the members of the baraat are also offered food.

The names of the couple who perform the role of in-laws of Lord Shiva is declared in the thala utha, a ritual associated with Sital Sasthi festival, much before the wedding.

This year Pradeep Pandey and his wife Jayashree of Badabazar are playing the role of in-laws of Loknath Baba of Jharuapara Shiva temple, Ashok Nanda and wife Bijaylaxmi of Sason are performing the role of in-laws of Balunkeswar Baba of Nandpara Shiva temple while Chakradhar Dhar and wife Narayani of Ainthapali are donning the role of in-laws of Jageswar Baba of Modipara Shiva temple.

The newly-wed divine couple will take a walk in the town this evening. This ritual is called nagar parikrama. Thousands of people gather on the streets to witness the event.

The festival, which marks the marriage of Lord Shiva with Parvati, started in the 17th century in Sambalpur. Earlier, the divine wedding was being organised in Someswar Baba temple in Balibandha. Later, the Sital Sasthi festival was observed in Balunkeswar temple at Nandpara in Sambalpur. However, now several other Shiva temples of the city observe the Sital Sasthi festival.

"This is one of the most important festivals of Sambalpur. Devotees from across the state as well as from the neighbouring state come here to witness the divine marriage of the deities. Lord Shiva accompanied by other deities of the locality along with thousands of devotees take part in an impressive barayatri procession," said Ratnakar Sahu, a local resident.

"I am fortunate since I will witness the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati," said Priya Ranjan Purohit, a devotee.