‘Thalautha’ held in W Odisha Siva temples

Thalautha’, the first ritual for the Sital Sasthi festival, began on the Akshaya Trutiya night in various temples of the city here and all parts of western Odisha where the ‘divine marriage’ of Lord Siva with Mother Parvati is performed.

The Thalautha ritual is basically performed for collection of funds for the divine marriage and, like the Rath Yatra of Puri, this ritual is performed here on the Akshaya Tritiya.

“Normally, a month after the Thalautha, the marriage is performed, but due to ‘Mala Masa’ it will be performed after two months this year,” informed the organisers. 

On the day of Thalautha, the aged persons after traditional Puja in the temples go round the Para and collect funds on this first day. They also select the Kanya Pita (father of the bride i.e. Mother Parvati) and Bara Pita on this particular day.

This particular festival is performed in almost all the important temples of the city including Bam Barada Balunkeswar of Nandapara, Sri Lokanath of Jharuapara, Sri Jageswar of Modipara, Sri Somanath Baba of Balibandha, Sri Sitaleswar of Badabazar, Sri Gupteswar of Thakurpada, Sri Shankar Baba of Bhatra, Sri Omkareswar of Sakhipara, Sri Gudeswar of Durgapali and many other temples of the city.

This year the marriage will be performed on June 17 due to Mala Masa and the home coming procession will be followed the next day that is treated as the main attraction of the Yatra where thousands of artists take part from nook and corner of the country.

“With the Thalautha, the process for the divine marriage has began in our Pada and we are waiting for the day and the holy Darshan of Dev Dampati and get their blessings,” said Byomakesh Panda, the media in-charge of the Modipara Yatra committee. “This year Seshadev Rath and Nibedita Rani Rath will be the Kanyapita and Kanyamata for Modipara temple,” Panda informed.