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Bhubaneswar (Orissa) : People across eastern States of Orissa, have all set to celebrate festival of lights, Diwali on Saturday amid host of activities.
Lights, laughter, mithai and crackers are synonymous with Diwali. No wonder it is one of the most anticipated festivals in everyone’s calendar. So, people of Orissa, also too excited to mark the occasion.
“I will beautify my house with lights. I hope this Diwali brings a lot of light, joy and happiness in everyone's lives.Let’s all making it an environment-friendly Diwali,” said leading Oriya album actress Lesliy Tripathy.
“I believe that festivals like Diwali are the perfect occasion for a family reunion and a celebration of these special moments with our loved ones. I would like to wish everyone a very happy, safe and noiseless Diwali,” added actor Boby Mishra. “I will buy new clothes and spend time with friends,” Rashmi, a TV artist said.
Hotels, Restaurants, Pubs, Bars, Parks wore festive look with thousands rushing to it to something for their nears and dears.
Meanwhile, gold market in State’s major urban centres, including Bhubaneswar, witnessed roaring business with people making a beeline at the numerous jewellery shops.
The gold price in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Puri, Balasore, Sambalpur and Rourkela hit an all time high of around Rs 16,400 and Rs 15,400 per 10 gram of 24 and 22 carat gold respectively.
The gold traders, however, said the business this year is less than last year. Oriyas, who generally used to purchase gold after the harvest season, have taken to buying the precious metal on Dhanteras influenced by the non-Oriyas, mainly from Gujarat.
In Bhubaneswar, there are about 80 retail shops and the major ones are located at Ashok Nagar, Bapuji Nagar, Saheed Nagar, Janpath and Master Canteen area.
However, the on unique ritual that makes Diwali, which also known as Kali Puja in Orissa different from what it is in other parts of the country is the practice of calling upon the spirits of one's ancestors. Tall bamboo poles are erected in front of the houses.
An earthen pot with small windows, called handi, is tied to this pole with the help of a rope. An earthen lamp is placed inside this and the pot is placed on the top of the pole by pulling the rope. Jute stems are burnt to light up the dark path that the spirits of the ancestors take back to heaven.
In the evening, the members of the household gather together just after dusk. A Rangoli of a sailboat is made on the ground. The boat has seven chambers. Over the drawing of each different chamber several items are kept - cotton, mustard, salt, asparagus root, turmeric and a wild creeper.
Over the central chamber are the offerings meant for prasad. Perched over the prasad is a jute stem with a cloth wick tied around the edge. It is lit at the beginning of the Puja.
All members of the family hold a bundle of jute stems in their hands. Beside the Rangoli, a mortar and pestle and a plough are also kept and worshiped.
