The sacred month of Margasira began its Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi on Wednesday, signalling the start of the three-day Dev Deepawali rituals at the Jagannath Temple in Puri. During this holy period, Lord Jagannath and his siblings will appear in the Shraddha Besha (attire) and special lamps will be offered in tribute to their ancestors.
According to long-standing tradition, the deities perform deepadan (offering of lamps) and shraddha (ritual homage) for various divine ancestors over the three days. Chaturdashi (Wednesday)— it is the day for Aditi and Kashyapa. On Amavasya (Thursday), King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya will be paid homage. During Pratipada (Friday), rituals will be performed for Vasudeva-Devaki, Nanda-Yashoda, and King Indradyumna-Queen Gundicha.
Each day, following the Dwipahara Dhoopa (midday meal ritual), the deities will offer darshan (sacred viewing) in the Shraddha attire. In the evening, after the Sandhya Dhoopa (evening meal ritual), three grand lamps are ceremoniously carried to the Bada Deula (main temple), Jagamohan (assembly hall), and Bhogamandap (offering hall).
In front of the Ratna Singhasan (jewelled throne), a small effigy of a tree is created using rice, and 28 sacred lamps are lit as an offering to Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath). The three main lamps are also formally worshipped as part of the proceedings.
During these ceremonies, three Palia Pujapandas (designated priests) carry the grand lamps to the Jay-Vijay Dwara (main entrance). One priest sanctifies the rice mound with water while reciting ritualistic chants. The lamps are then handed over to the Chunara Sevak (servitor), who uses oil and ghee donated by the Bada Odia Math to light lamps across the temple's outer corridor.
In keeping with tradition, the Chunara Sevak also lights the Chandraudiya (a celestial lamp), chanting the name of the Gajapati Maharaja (King of Puri) and offering prayers for his well-being.
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