Patar Pendi, a ritual associated with Sital Sasthi, being performed in Sambalpur. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, June 3: Sital Sasthi, a festival that celebrates the divine marriage between Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati, began with the Patar Pendi ritual here on Thursday evening.

The ritual, which symbolises the engagement between the two deities, was performed with much fanfare at the Balunkeswar Baba — a Shivalaya — of Nandapara here.

The engagement ceremony is followed by another ritual, Thala Utha where the names of a couple who would perform the roles of Shiva’s in-laws are declared. The day also marks the beginning of collection of funds for the festival.

The devotees who perform the role of Parvati’s parents would have to give away their daughter to Lord Shiva on the eve of the wedding. The wedding is organised in a traditional way. Like other marriages, the parents of Lord Shiva look for a bride and then send a formal proposal to the prospective bride’s parents for marriage.

This formal proposal takes place during Patar Pendi where the heads of the locality move towards the house of the bride-to-be. This procession includes the father of the groom and seven other persons, who are known as Sapta Rushi.

In this ritual, parents of the groom give a bundle of sal leaves, which is called Patar Pendi.

This is the negotiation and engagement ceremony of Lord Shiva with goddess Parvati. After this ritual, the representatives of Shiva temple send out invitations to the deities of the locality and common people.

Sarat Chandra Mishra, who is performing the role of the groom’s father, said: “With the blessings of Lord Shiva, we arrived at the house of the goddess. During the meeting, we described the nature of the lord before Parvati’s parents. After this discussion with the groom of the father and the Sapta Rushi, who accompanied him, the parents of the bride agreed for the wedding.”

“The Sapta Rushi who had come here with a marriage proposal described the nature and character of the groom. After hearing from them, we accepted their marriage proposal,” Rita Sarangi, mother of deity Parvati said.