Sambalpur, May 11: Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan, said that all the sacred work in Odisha starts on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya and this was a very auspicious occasion for the people of Odisha.

Dharmendra Pradhan said, "Sital Sasthi festival and Sambalpur are inter-connected. Since ancient times, people's devotion has been attached to this. Sital Sasthi happens in June. Today, prayers were offered to Lord Shiv at this ancient temple in Nandapada.

'Thala Utha' was performed here. All the important work in Odisha starts today on the sacred occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Agricultural work also starts today. "

He further said that preparations for Sital Sasthi start on the sacred occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

"On this day, no discrimination is done on the basis of religion or caste. Preparations start for the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This brings unity and brotherhood in the society," he added.

Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the 'Thala Utha' ritual on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Friday, marking the beginning of preparation for the upcoming 'Sital Sasthi' Jatra at Balunkeswar temple in Nandapada under Sambalpur district.

The Thala Utha ritual is performed in Shiva temples in Sambalpur, Odisha, to mark the beginning of preparations for the Sital Sasthi Jatra festival.

The Sital Sasthi Jatra is a popular festival in western Odisha that celebrates the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, also known as Sital Sasthi. The festival is depicted in the Shiva Purana.

A 'puja' was performed in the temple by priests in the presence of senior members of the respective localities during the 'Thala Utha' ceremony.

The state of Odisha will hold Assembly elections and Lok Sabha elections in four phases from May 13 to June 1, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.

(ANI)

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