Bhubaneswar, May 22: Preparations are on in full swing for the procession that will be taken out on the occasion of Sital Sasthi in Sambalpur on May 30 to 31.

More than 5,000 artistes from the state and beyond are expected to take part in it.

The Sital Sasthi festival, which marks the marriage of Lord Shiv with Goddess Parvati, is celebrated in Sambalpur in a big way. Thousands of people from various places in west Odisha and neighbouring Chhattisgarh come together to celebrate this event every year.

Working president of the joint coordination committee Amulya Kumar Mishra said artists from across the state and from some neighbouring states had been invited and more than 5,500 of them were expected to take part in the grand procession.

The organising committee has earmarked a budget of Rs 77 lakh for the festival this year.

The rituals will begin from May 25 and culminate with the wedding on the night of May 29. The procession will start on May 30 night and continue till May 31.

Around 2,300 artists will take part in the procession that will be organised at Modipara this year. Besides, the traditional Sambalpuri dance, several folk dance troupes performing Bhangra, Dashavatar dance, Chhau dance and Punjabi dhol will perform.

Around 1,700 artists will perform in the procession of Jharuapara this year. The organising committee will spend Rs 25 lakh on the festival.