Sitala Sasthi starts on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha and continues for three days. The marriage ceremony of Siva with Parvati is performed on this day every Year. The villagers are too poor to construct a chariot. They place a wooden bull on two bullock carts joined together. Parvati and Siva are seated on the back of the God, and the Goddess takes Bhog at every door. This festival attracts a great gathering of people from the neighbouring villages for the skilful fireworks display. Sitali Yatra is a famous and main festival in Western Odisha.

The most significant feature of this folk tradition is that human beings become the parents of these deities. This couple performs the role of Parbati’s father and mother during the sanctified marriage ceremony of Lord Siva and Goddess Parbati. They also perform the ritual of Kanyadaan, which is considered to be very auspicious and sacred for the Hindu parents. The popularity of Sitala Sasthi Yatra is growing, and there is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm within Sambalpur and outside to witness this enchanting folk drama form. Various folk dances like Dalkhai, Rasarkeli and dancing and cultural troupes add to the colour and glamour of Sitala Sasthi Yatra in Sambalpur. Bai-Nach is the main attraction of this Yatra.