Anada Utsav

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Celestial wedding in Orissa town Sambalpur (Orissa): Lakhs of people poured into this western Orissa cultural hub to witness the 'celestial wedding' of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati today with priests chanting slokas on 'Sital Sashthi'.The 'wedding' took place at three places in the city with the rituals continuing through the night to culminate this morning.As per tradition, couples from different localities in the town don the role of bride Parvati's parents and the barat accompanying the idol of Lord Shiva is taken out with much pomp and ceremony.Sambalpur city has been teeming with large crowds since yesterday as the region celebrated its biggest religious event with hundreds of people arriving to take part in the night-long festivities.But the highpoint of the celebration would be the procession to be taken out tonight when the town would throb to the beats of the 'madal' and a variety of instruments.

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Celestial wedding
Lakhs of people poured into Sambalpur, Orissa, to witness the 'celestial wedding' of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on Thursday with priests chanting slokas on 'Sital Sashthi'.
The 'wedding' took place at three places in the city with the rituals continuing through the night to culminate this morning. As per tradition, couples from different localities in the town don the role of bride Parvati's parents and the barat accompanying the idol of Lord Shiva is taken out with much pomp and ceremony.
While one barat was taken out from the Balunkeswar temple at Nandapada, the other two processions began from the Loknath temple at Jhaduapada and Jageswar temple in the city. Feasts were thrown by the host couples to celebrate the event in the same fashion as traditional marriages are held. New couples are chosen to be hosts every year. About Rs 23 lakh is spent on the weddings.

Thanks

Souvik