Sambalpur: Sacred Sital Sasthi Festival Begins; Traditional ‘Thala Utha’ Rituals Held at Shiva Temples on Akshaya Tritiya

Sambalpur: On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the city of Sambalpur witnessed the beginning of the “Thala Utha” rituals, marking the start of preparations for the holy Sital Sasthi Yatra. As per tradition, devotees began collecting offerings (called Panthi) from today.

Temples Across the City Join in the Rituals

Not only the main Sital Sasthi Yatra Committee but almost every Shiva temple in various localities participated by conducting the “Thala Utha” ceremony today with due rituals.

Key Events and Participants

• At the Somnath Baba temple in Balibandha, priests Manabodh Padhi, Nikesh Pujari, and Jaydev Pujari performed the rituals. Himanshu and Babita Padhi participated as bride’s parents. Committee members including Prashant Pradhan, Lakshman Patel, Sheshdev Pandey, Debesh Mishra, and Loknath Pandey were also present.
• In the evening, the “Thala Utha” at Badbazar’s Sitaleshwar Baba temple was also conducted. Akshay and Kiran Jena from Mudipada were chosen as the bride’s parents. Jagadish Prasad Kalanoria took responsibility as the groom’s guardian.
• Pandit Yogeshwar Nanda and temple priest Sheshdev Badamali conducted the rituals. Committee leaders Kishore Pradhan, Saroj Sahu, Manoj Dash, Sanjay Thakur, Swamidas Sahu, and others attended.

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Other Local Temples Join In

• At Gupteshwar Baba temple in Thakurpada, the ritual was performed in the presence of bride’s parents Rajendra and Alaka Sharma, and groom’s parents Chitrasen and Girija Dehuri. Priests Ashutosh Purohit and Kishore Dehuri led the prayers. Committee members like Lingaraj Parida, Shiva Pradhan, Jagdeep Singh, and others were present.
• In Kuluthkani, at Baba Kaleshwar’s temple, the ceremony was held with Devapriya and Rashmita Mahapatra as the groom’s parents and Alekh and Sabita Sahu as the bride’s. The newly formed committee managed the event, with members like Dukhishyam Nayak, Arup Singhdeo, and others taking part. Pandits Dharmendra Mishra and Pintu Panigrahi performed the puja.

Unique Offerings and Highlights

• At Gupteshwar temple near the Municipality Chowk, Samarjeet and Sabitri Pattnaik from Jagannath Colony were selected as bride’s parents. Notably, they donated 1 kg of silver to prepare ornaments for Baba Gupteshwar.

More Rituals Across the City

• At the Pahadeswar Baba temple in Budharaja, Manoj and Pujarani Mishra conducted the groom’s side rituals, while Tripti Bhushan Sahu and Jyotsnamayee Mohanty represented the bride’s family. Priests Rajesh Mishra and Raja Singh performed the rituals.
• Committee members including Deben Pati, Rajesh Singh, Sushant Dansana, and others were actively involved.
• At Mahakaleshwar Baba temple in Fatak Mahamaya premises, the “Thala Utha” took place with groom’s parents Thanasundar and Gauri Pradhan and bride’s parents Santosh and Pushpa Choudhury. Committee president Bulu Biswal and other key members like Atish Panigrahi and Dayanidhi were present.