The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Candles day festival celebrated

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Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007
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Candles day festival celebrated

Staff Reporter

BERHAMPUR: Thousands of Christians from all parts of Orissa reached the Queen of the Mission cathedral in the city to celebrate the unique candles day festival on Tuesday.

The candles day is celebrated to commemorate the appearance of Mother Mary to Sister Catherine of France on November 27, 1830. It is believed that this festival is being celebrated at the Queen of the Mission Cathedral since its establishment in Berhampur in 1855. As per the priests of the church, this festival celebrated in big way here as it is the first Queen of the Mission Church established in India.

The rituals of the celebration have their origin in France. The priests and devotees claim similar celebrations in to honour Mother Mary is a rarity in whole of Asia. The Cathedral where the celebrations are held also happens to be one of the oldest churches in Orissa. The celebrations of the nine-day long festivities will end on Tuesday with the Queen’s mission feast. Every day special prayers and discourses were held for the devotees at the cathedral. Candles day is the culmination of the festival. The devotees marched with lighted candles in their hands singing songs in praise of Mother Mary to mark the end of the festival. A richly decorated chariot with the idol of Mother Mary, accompanied the devotees. People of other religions were seen offering their respect to Mother Mary and making way for the marchers holding lighted candles as mark of communal harmony .

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