The Hindu festival of Sital Sasthi celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The festival is celebrated on the sixth day of the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Jyestha which corresponds to the months of May-June in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is celebrated especially in the Sambalpur district of Odisha. The three-day celebration is called the Sital Sasthi Yatra, wherein a family is chosen to play the role of Goddess Parvati's family to propose marriage to Lord Shiva. Since Shiva is known as Swayam Bhu, no one plays the role of his family. The festival is attended by a large number of Hijras and Eunuchs, as Shiva is also referred to as Ardhanarishwara.

Region : Sambalpur

Duration : 3 days