Shital Sasthi Celebrated as Shiva’s Wedding: Jiunti Village Engulfed in Festive Spirit
Kakatpur, 24/05 – At the famous Shaivite shrine of Shri Shri Ishwaranath Mahadev in Jiunti village under Astaranga block of Puri district, the traditional Shital Sasthi festival was celebrated this year with great spiritual fervor, just as it is every year. As per tradition, the symbolic divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati was performed in a spiritually charged atmosphere.
The day began with rituals like Handi Mangula, Dian Mangula, the ceremonial holy bath (Maha Snana) of Shiva and Parvati, followed by Prathama Baran (first welcoming ritual) and Dwitiya Baran (second welcoming ritual). The wedding ceremony of Shiva and Parvati was then conducted amid chants of Haribol and sounds of Huluhuli (a traditional celebratory cry).
Pandit Roshan Kar and Pandit Bishwanath Mishra officiated the wedding rituals, while temple head priest Prafulla Chandra Panda performed the main priestly duties. Debendra Das acted as the symbolic father of the groom (Shiva), and Sarat Chandra Panda as the symbolic father of the bride (Parvati).
The entire wedding ceremony was managed by the members of the prominent local organization, Gopabandhu Yuva Samajik Sangathan. Hundreds of devoted villagers attended the event, seeking blessings from Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and later partook in the holy prasad.
On Thursday evening, the symbolic idols of Shiva and Parvati were taken in a grand procession around the village on a beautifully decorated Mani Vimana (chariot). After the procession, the deities were brought back to the temple, as informed by the organization’s advisor, Purnachandra Khandual.
