Governor Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today participated in the grand Rath Yatra Mahotsav of Lord Jagannath at the Jagannath Temple located in Gayatri Nagar, Raipur. On this auspicious occasion, both the Governor and the Chief Minister offered their prayers to Lord Jagannath and performed the traditional ritual of ‘Chera Pahara’. The First Lady of the State, Mrs. Rani Deka Kakoti, also performed the customary rituals at the temple with religious fervour and devotion.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai took part in the Rath Yatra held at Jagannath Temple in Gayatri Nagar, Raipur. The chariot procession of Mahaprabhu Jagannath was ceremonially conducted with traditional rituals and deep spiritual significance. Before the commencement of the yatra, the idols of the deities were respectfully brought from the sanctum to the chariot, and the path was ritually cleansed using a golden broom, in accordance with the sacred tradition of ‘Chera Pahara’.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai extended heartfelt greetings to the people of the state on the auspicious festival of Rath Yatra. He added that this festival holds as much cultural and spiritual significance for Chhattisgarh as it does for Odisha. He further stated that Lord Jagannath is considered the protector of farmers. It is by His grace that rains bless the earth, paddy fields flourish with milk-filled grains, and prosperity enters the homes of farmers. “I pray to Lord Jagannath to bless Chhattisgarh with a bountiful harvest this year as well,” said Chief Minister. “I pray Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra to shower their divine grace upon us all and guide us towards peace, prosperity, and well-being.”
Chief Minister Performs Chera Pahara with Golden Broom
In accordance with the traditional practice observed in Puri, the sacred ritual of ‘Chera Pahara’ was performed at the Jagannath Temple in Gayatri Nagar, Raipur. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai personally swept the path with a golden broom as part of this ancient tradition, thereby ceremonially inaugurating the Rath Yatra. Thereafter, he carried the idol of Lord Jagannath to the chariot and reverently enshrined it.
Rath Yatra in Chhattisgarh Mirrors the Tradition of Odisha
The state of Odisha is renowned across India for its Rath Yatra celebrations. Being a neighbouring state, Chhattisgarh too observes this festival with great reverence and enthusiasm. In today’s Rath Yatra, the deities Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra were worshipped with special rituals and devotion. According to the temple priests, the Rath Yatra symbolises the deep cultural affinity and unbroken bond between the traditions of Utkal and Dakshin Kosal.
It is widely believed that the original abode of Lord Jagannath was the sacred pilgrimage site of Shivrinarayan in Chhattisgarh, from where He was later enshrined in Jagannath Puri. It was in Shivrinarayan, during the Treta Yuga, that Lord Rama accepted the sweet berries lovingly offered by Mata Shabari. Today, a magnificent temple of Nar-Narayan stands at this holy site.
Present on this auspicious occasion were Revenue Minister Shri Tankram Verma, Member of Parliament Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, MLAs Shri Purandar Mishra and Shri Dharamlal Kaushik, along with several other distinguished citizens and a large number of devotees.
