Diwali: A unique ritual here

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Diwali: A unique ritual here

Tuesday November 1 2005 09:58 IST

BALASORE: The district is all set to celebrate `Diwali' in its

inimitable style. Apart from bursting crackers and worshipping

Goddess Kali, people, especially in the rural areas, also perform an

age-old and unique ritual called `Paya Shradha'.

 

As per the ritual, puja is performed in most of the households and

cooked food is served to ancestors. Thereafter, the children of the

families burn `paya kathi' (a type of stick).

 

"The main feature of the ceremony is the offering of `pinda' of

cooked rice (pinda-dana) to one's ancestors. It is believed that

during this period, the spirits need nourishment and so `pinda' is

offered," describes veteran priest Dibakar Mishra.

 

He said, Diwali is also celebrated here as per Vedic belief. The

message of `Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya' (from darkness to light) is

spread far and wide. Little clay lamps are placed on thresholds of

houses, by the walls, in the streets and bylanes. Besides, the

hungry are fed on the occasion.

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