Puri: Puri king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb performed Chhera Panhara ritual (sweeping of chariot floors) on Grand Road on Thursday here. The Chhera Panhara is considered one of the most important rituals performed during the annual Rath Yatra.
As per the tradition, the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, Dibyasingha Deb arrived in his royal palanquin ‘Tamjan’ from the Raja Nahara and performed the Chhera Panhara ritual in the three chariots with ceremonial gold broom only after Shankaracharya paied ‘darshan’ of the Trinity.
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 Debadalana of Goddess Subhadra and Nandighosha of Lord Jagannath.
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.
The chariot pulling will commence at 4 pm. Rituals are being conducted as per the schedule fixed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) till now.
