The Bada Danda (Grand Road) in front of the Simhadwar (lion’s Gate) of Shree Jagannath Temple here on Sunday appeared eerie with the evening sky filled with thick smoke emanating from the burning jute sticks and chanting of Bada Badua Ho by thousands of people.
The people thronged the area to pay obeisance to their ancestors through the unique ritual known as Badabadua Daka, which is performed on the day of Deepavali. The ritual begins in the morning and continues till late evening.
Holding bunches of jute sticks (Kaunria) in hand, the people set fire to the sticks to invoke their ancestors to descend from their heavenly abode and visit the Earth to bless them.
The invocation process involves the chanting of a prayer Badabadua ho, andhaare aasa, aalua re jaa! (Oh hon’ble ancestors, come in darkness and go back along the lighted path!) The eldest male member of the family chants these lines and the other members follow him with lighted bundles of jute sticks in their hands.