Thousands gather at Puri for Paya Shraddha on Diwali, offer light to ancestors

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Puri: Thousands of devotees gathered in the pilgrim town of Puri on Diwali to perform Paya Shraddha and pay homage to their ancestors on the occasion of Kartika Amavasya today.

Devotees lit Kaunriya sticks and offered lamps as part of the age-old tradition of bidding farewell to their ancestors. Chanting “Bada badua ho, andhare asi aloka re jao… ganga jao, gaya jao, baisi pahacha re gadu thao.”

According to tradition, ancestors are invited to the mortal world during the Devi Paksha of Ashwina month. On Kartika Amavasya, they are shown the path of light and bid farewell to the ancestral world.

Meanwhile, Amavasya Tithi will begin at 11:28 AM today. Since the Tithi will not prevail at sunrise, the Amavasya rituals, including the Sagar Bije ritual,at the Jagannath Temple will be observed tomorrow.

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However, as Amavasya prevails during the evening Pradosh period, Paya Shraddha, Diwali celebrations and Shyamakali Puja will be performed today.

In view of the large gathering, six platoons of police force have been deployed in Puri. Four box barricades have been set up at the Emar Math Chhakada, near the southeastern corner of Singhadwara, to facilitate the lighting of Kaunriya sticks. The Fire Services Department has also been kept on alert to ensure safety.

Watch the video here:

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