The sacred three-day Dev Deepawali rituals commenced on Wednesday at the iconic Jagannath Temple in Puri as the holy month of Margasira entered Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi. This auspicious period marks a deeply revered time when Lord Jagannath, along with Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, observes rituals dedicated to divine ancestors.
Shraddha Besha and Offerings to Ancestors
During the Dev Deepawali period, the Holy Trinity adorns the Shraddha Besha, symbolizing devotion and respect for ancestral divinity. Special lamps are offered as part of the seasonal observances.
Traditionally, the deities perform Deepadan and Shraddha for different divine ancestors over the three days:
-
Chaturdashi: Aditi and Kashyapa
-
Amavasya: King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya
-
Pratipada: Vasudeva–Devaki, Nanda–Yashoda, and King Indradyumna–Queen Gundicha
Daily Ritual Highlights
After the Dwipahara Dhoopa, devotees witness the deities in their Shraddha attire. In the evening, following the Sandhya Dhoopa, three grand ceremonial lamps are respectfully carried to the Bada Deula, Jagamohan, and Bhogamandap.
At the Ratna Singhasan, priests create a symbolic small tree using rice, and 28 sacred lamps are lit as an offering to Mahaprabhu. The three main lamps are also worshipped with traditional rituals.
Lamp Procession Around the Temple
Three Palia Pujapandas carry the grand lamps to the Jay-Vijay Dwara, where water sanctification is performed over the rice mound to invoke divine blessings. The lamps are then transferred to the Chunara Sevak, who lights lamps around the temple’s outer corridor using oil and ghee donated by the Bada Odia Math.
According to established tradition, the Chunara Sevak also lights the Chandraudiya while chanting the name of the Gajapati Maharaja and offering prayers for his well-being.
The Dev Deepawali rituals, rooted in centuries-old customs, continue to uphold the spiritual grandeur and cultural heritage of the Jagannath Temple.
