Shiva Bibaha is the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is observed during the Shitala Sasthi festival in Orissa, especially in Sambalpur. In 2024, the date of Shiva Bibaha is June 11. Legend has it that Lord Shiva after the death of Goddess Sati started leading the life of an ascetic and lost interest in worldly life. Finally, the intense austerities performed by Goddess Parvati changed the mind of Shiva and he became a family man. Shiva Bibaha celebrates the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
On the Shiva Bibaha day, Lord Shiva, the bridegroom, arrives for the marriage ceremony to the house of Goddess Parvati along with other gods and goddesses in Hindu pantheon. Lord Hanuman and Narasimha lead the divine procession. All the rituals that are part of normal marriage ceremony in Orissa are followed for the divine wedding.
The divine wedding is held on the fifth day during the waxing phase of moon in the month of Jaishta (May – June).
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