Bhubaneswar, May 30: The Odisha Government will provide financial assistance of Rs 1.8 crore for Sital Sasthi celebrations in Sambalpur district, said an official release on Saturday.

Sital Sasthi festival is an annual celebration of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati's divine marriage.

The decision was taken as per the direction of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The allocation will be used for preparations and arrangements by 21 organising committees.

The Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department will provide the financial assistance. This year, a total of 21 puja committees in Sambalpur district will receive the financial support amounting to Rs 1.8 crore.

Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said, "Sital Sasthi is a vibrant celebration of Odisha's rich traditions, cultural heritage and spiritual ethos. The State Government remains committed towards preservation and promotion of such vibrant cultural traditions.”

“This assistance will ensure the festival is celebrated with greater grandeur and enthusiasm, while further strengthening Odisha's distinct cultural identity at the national and global levels," asserted Suraj.

The five-day divine celebration includes ‘patarpendi' (engagement ceremony), followed by ‘guagunda' (invitation to deities), the divine marriage, nagar parikram (city procession), and the temple entry of the divine couple. Thousands of artists participate in various processions during the festival in the western Odisha district.