Jajati Karan, Sambhalpur: Rains are a cause of worry for people in many parts of India, but in Sambhalpur in Orissa it is the time of the year when Gods come down to the earth to tie the knot amidst fireworks, music and lots of dancing.

The five-day long festival ‘Shital Shasthi’ is celebrated at the arrival of monsoon, but the important feature of the festival is the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

The marriage takes place with much aplomb with two couples being selected from the area to act as the parents of the bride and groom. Says a member, Lord Parvati's (bride) family, Dipti Das, "The rituals which are followed in any normal wedding are followed in this God's wedding too. We are so happy to be part of this wedding."

The festival has its roots in the belief that when Lord Shiva becomes angry, only Parvati can calm him down. The people in Smbhalpur say the scorching earth in summer symbolises Shiva, and the first showers of the monsoon is Parvati.

And the farmers also celebrate the fact that the rains auger wells for them. "After hot summer when the earth gets shower, the farmers are very happy and so we celebrate through this Shital Shasthi," says a resident.

After the marriage, the deities are brought back to their respective temples in a grand procession where they will reside until its time to tie the knot once again next year.