Sitala Sasthi Yatra Festival

Sitala Sasthi Yatra Festival

Technical Data

Stamp Set Cultural Heritage of Western Odisha
Date of Issue February 20, 2024
Denomination Rs. 5
Quantity 111,000
Perforation Harrow14½
Printer Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
Printing Process Wet Offset
Watermark No Watermark
Colors Multicolor
Credit (Designed By) Sh. Sankha Samanta
Catalog Codes

Colnect codes IN 2024.02.20-04f

Themes

Cultural Heritage of Western Odisha Stamps: A Tribute to Tradition

The Department of Posts has issued a special set of commemorative postage stamps honoring the cultural heritage of Western Odisha—a land where Aryan, Dravidian, and Adivasi traditions converge. These stamps capture the soul of Odisha, highlighting its festivals, art, crafts, and folk culture that continue to shape the identity of the region.

Sitala Sasthi Yatra – The Divine Wedding

Sitala Sasthi Yatra is a sacred festival of Western Odisha that celebrates the celestial marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Observed on the sixth day of the Jyestha month (Shukla Paksha), this festival transforms towns into vibrant wedding venues, with rituals, processions, and community celebrations.

Devotees believe Lord Shiva represents the scorching summer heat, while Goddess Parvati symbolizes the first monsoon rains. Their holy union, solemnised during Sitala Sasthi, is seen as an invocation for a good monsoon and agricultural prosperity.

This festival is not just a spiritual occasion—it is a cultural extravaganza where the entire community participates in the divine wedding, reinforcing the spirit of devotion, harmony, and collective joy.


First Day Cover