Bhubaneswar: Thousands of devotees have gathered at the shrine of Goddess Maa Biraja in Jajpur district and Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri to offer prayers and seek blessings of their ancestors by performing Pindadana rituals on the holy occasion of Mahalaya.
The last day of Pitrupaksha has seen a large number of devotees offering Pindaan to their ancestors in Navigaya at Biraja temple in Jajpur. Extensive arrangements have been made by the administration to ensure a smooth and safe experience for the devotees.
In Puri, a large crowd of devotees has gathered at the northern gate of the Jagannath Temple to offer Pindadana to their ancestors. According to tradition, it is believed that Pindadan on Mahalaya and donating it, along with offering a Brahmin eat Mahaprasad, helps ancestors attain salvation. The powerful Gundicha or Gupta Gundicha Yatra of Mahaprabhu has also started at the temple today.
Meanwhile, in Sambalpur, Goddess Maa Samaleswari is giving darshan in Dhabalmukhi Besha, attracting thousands of devotees. The darshan started at 5 am after Mangala Aalati, and the Pahada Niti of the Goddess will be performed at around 10:30 pm.
The police have made special arrangements to ensure security and crowd management at these sacred sites. As the Navaratri festivities approach, preparations are underway, including the lighting of 5,000 earthen lamps at the Samalei shrine.
