Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a financial assistance of Rs 1.08 crore for the celebration of Sital Sasthi festival in Sambalpur district.

As per the direction of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department will provide financial assistance of Rs 1.08 crore for the celebration of the Sital Sasthi festival in Sambalpur, said the state government.

This year, a total of 21 festival committees in Sambalpur will receive financial support for Sital Sasthi celebration, it added.

"Sital Sasthi is a vibrant celebration of Odisha's rich traditions, cultural heritage and spiritual ethos. The state government remains committed towards preservation and promotion of such vibrant cultural traditions. This assistance will ensure the festival is celebrated with greater grandeur and enthusiasm, while further strengthening Odisha's distinct cultural identity at the national and global levels,” said Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.

It is worth mentioning here that the state government had earlier announced a financial grant of Rs 1 crore for Bargarh Dhanu Yatra, considered as the largest open-air theatre in the world.

The government had also decided to provide honorarium of Rs 10,000 each for nearly 200 artistes participating in the Dhanu Yatra.