The sacred town of Srikshetra in Puri is set to be illuminated in a spectacular display during the upcoming Dev Deepawali festival. The iconic Badadanda (Grand Road) stretching from the Singhadwar of Srimandir to Gundicha Mandir will be adorned with one lakh lamps, creating a mesmerising ambience of light and devotion.
In a press conference held at Puri’s Gangamata Math, representatives from Shri Jagannath Seva Sansthan urged devotees and residents to join the celebrations by lighting lamps in various Jagannath temples and their own homes. This collective effort aims to honor the divine occasion and foster a sense of community participation.
The Dev Deepawali rituals will be observed over three days at Srimandir, from November 19 to 21. During this period, Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath) will perform the sacred act of offering lamps and conducting shraddha in memory of his ancestors, symbolizing reverence for departed souls.
The event will also feature bhajan programs organised by Shri Jagannath Seva Sansthan, enhancing the spiritual fervour. Speaking at the conference, Srimandir Chhatisha Niyog’s Nayak Janardan Pattajoshi Mohapatra and Mahiprakash Math’s Mahant Shubhanand Puri shared details of the preparations, emphasising the festival’s significance in Odia culture and its role in promoting devotion.
Dev Deepawali, often celebrated as the “Diwali of the Gods,” holds special importance in Puri, drawing pilgrims and locals alike to witness the divine illumination that transforms the holy precincts into a beacon of faith.
