Puri: Puri king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb on Friday solemnised Chhera Panhara ritual (sweeping of chariot floors) on the chariots of Lord Jagannath, His siblings elder brother Lord Balabhadra and their sister Goddess Subhadra here on the occasion of Bahuda Yatra (Return journey) of the deities.
Bahuda Yatra is the journey of the three chariots of the deities to Shree Jagannath Temple from Shree Gundicha Temple after completion of nine-day sojourn at Gundicha Temple.
The Chhera Panhara is considered one of the most important rituals performed during the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath.
The king, considered as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, arrived near the Gundicha temple in car from the Raja Nahara taken to the chariots in his royal palanquin Tamjan and performed the Chhera Panhara ritual in the three chariots with (Subarna Jhadu) ceremonial gold broom.
The king started the traditional ritual with performing ‘Aalati’ and ‘Chamara Seva’ at Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot before sweeping it with a golden broom, followed by Nandighosha of Lord Jagannath and Darpadalan of Goddess Subhadra.
On each of the chariots, the servitors sprinkled fragrant water and flowers on the floor of the chariots and the Gajapati swept with the golden broom and also sprinkled fragrant water on the surface of the chariots.
As per the tradition, the chariots will be pulled only after the Gajapati performs the Chhera Panhara ritual.
