On Dev Deepavali, Everyone to Light Lamps for World Peace
Bhubaneswar, 09.12.23 (Singhari Alok Khuntia): As per tradition, Dev Deepavali is celebrated in the Jagannath Temple on the Krishna Chaturdashi, Amavasya, and Shukla Pratipada tithis of the Margasira month. According to scriptural and traditional beliefs, on these days, Lord Jagannath offers shraddha (ritual offerings) to Kashyapa, Aditi, Kaushalya, Dasharatha, Nanda, Yashoda, Vasudeva, Devaki, Indradyumna, and Gundicha. The famous Shraddha Besha (special ritual attire for ancestral offerings) is also observed on this occasion. It represents a divine act of Lord Jagannath performing shraddha for his ancestors, signifying a deep human sentiment.
With the aim of universal welfare and world peace, the Shree Jagannath Seva Sansthan, Odisha, has called upon all temples across Odisha to celebrate this sacred occasion. In collaboration with the Odisha Mandir Sevayat Sangha (Temple Servitors’ Association), it has been announced that on the upcoming 13th of December, temples across the state, including Puri, will observe the Deepa Dana (lamp offering) festival with the lighting of lamps and prayers for world peace and prosperity.
At a press conference held today in Bhubaneswar, the Shree Jagannath Seva Sansthan appealed to not just temples, but all devotees of Lord Jagannath to light lamps at their homes beside their deities on the evenings of December 11th, 12th, and 13th (coinciding with Chaturdashi, Amavasya, and Pratipada) and offer prayers for the well-being of the entire world.
Among those present at the press conference were: Mahant Shree Shubhananda Maharaj of Puri Mahi Prakash Math; Janardana Pattajoshi Mahapatra, President of the Jagannath Seva Sansthan and Nayak of the Shree Mandir Chhatisanijoga; Spokesperson Ganeshwar Mahasuar; Mahasuar Nijoga Secretary Harekrushna Singhari; Gaurishankar Singhari; Senior floral servitor Jitendra Mahapatra; Pratihari servitor Narendra Mahanti; Dev Deepavali Coordinator Neelamani Guru; Jagannath culture researcher and President of Odisha Mandir Sevayat Sangha Kameshwar Tripathy; Editor Singhari Alok Khuntia; members Krushnachandra Dash, Basudev Bhatt (Dev Deepavali Event Coordinator), Shubhendu Dash (Media Coordinator), Adyapran Subuddhi, Devi Prasanna Panda, Prasanna Bishoyi, Manoj Jena, Pranaya Jethi, Bijaya Ketan Nanda, and many others.
