Puri,November10 ( Odisha.in) Thousands of people drawn from all over the State and neighboring States gathered in front of the ” Simha Dwara ” or the Lions Gate of Sri Jagannath temple at Puri and perform rituals for salvation of
their fore fathers, on the eve of Dewali ( Friday ).
After performing the prescribed rituals, the devotees lighted jute sticks and raise it upwards at the sky praying that let these candles show the departed souls light to the heaven, through the Baisi Pahacha ( meaning 22 steps of the Jagannath temple ) after taking Mahaprasad , which is the path to salvation.
The people perform such ritual without fail as they get opportunity once in a year to perform rituals for salvation of their fore fathers up to many generations.
The Hindus believe that the soul of fore fathers descend on earth during the Mahalaya which is the dark fortnight and on the Diwali , the ancestors show them light to the heaven for their salvation.
Odisha.in