Odisha government released the budget for the festival

Bhubaneswar/Sambalpur: The Odisha government on Saturday announced financial assistance of ₹18 million (180 million rupees) for the annual Sital Shashthi festival in Sambalpur district, officials said.

On the instructions of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department will provide financial assistance for the festival, which marks the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. An official release stated that a total of 21 festival committees in the district will receive financial assistance of ₹18 million (180 million rupees) this year.

Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said that Sital Shashthi is a significant festival symbolizing the state’s rich traditions, cultural heritage, and spiritual values.

He said the state government is fully committed to preserving and promoting such cultural traditions. Furthermore, the financial assistance will help celebrate the festival with even greater grandeur and enthusiasm, strengthening Odisha’s cultural identity at the national and global levels.