CM Sai Joins Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra, Performs ‘Chera-Pahara’ Ritual, and Seeks Blessings for People of Chhattisgarh
Raipur, June 27
Governor Shri Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai participated today in the grand Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath, held at the Jagannath Temple in Gayatri Nagar, Raipur. Both the Governor and the Chief Minister offered prayers and performed the traditional ‘Chera-Pahara’ ritual. The First Lady of the state, Smt. Rani Deka Kakoti, also offered prayers to Lord Jagannath following proper rituals.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai took part in the Rath Yatra organized at the Jagannath Temple in Gayatri Nagar, Raipur. The chariot procession of Lord Jagannath was carried out with full traditional rituals. Before the procession began, the idols of the deities were ceremonially brought from the temple to the chariot, and the path was swept with a golden broom—a ritual known as ‘Chera-Pahara’.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister extended greetings to all the people of Chhattisgarh and said that just as the Rath Yatra is a major celebration in Odisha, it is equally significant in Chhattisgarh. He stated that Lord Jagannath is considered the protector of farmers, and it is by His grace that the rains arrive, the paddy fields flourish, and prosperity enters farmers’ homes. “I pray to Lord Jagannath that this year too, Chhattisgarh is blessed with a bountiful harvest,” he added. The Chief Minister expressed his wish that Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra continue to bless all of us with peace, prosperity, and well-being.
Chief Minister Performs ‘Chera-Pahara’ Ritual with Golden Broom
In keeping with the tradition followed in Puri, Odisha, the Chera-Pahara ritual was performed at the Jagannath Temple in Raipur’s Gayatri Nagar. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai swept the path with a golden broom, marking the ceremonial beginning of the Rath Yatra. He then carried the idol of Lord Jagannath to the chariot and placed it reverently.
Rath Yatra Celebrated in Chhattisgarh in the Tradition of Odisha
Odisha is renowned across India for its grand Rath Yatra. Being a neighboring state, Chhattisgarh too celebrates this festival with deep reverence and cultural impact. In today’s procession, Lord Jagannath, His brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra were worshipped following age-old rituals. According to the temple priests, the Rath Yatra signifies the cultural bond between Utkal (Odisha) and Dakshin Kosal (Chhattisgarh).
It is believed that the original abode of Lord Jagannath is at Shivrinarayan in Chhattisgarh, from where He eventually came to reside in Jagannath Puri. It was at Shivrinarayan, during the Treta Yuga, that Lord Rama accepted sweet berries (ber) offered with devotion by Mata Shabari. A magnificent Nar-Narayan Temple now stands at that site.
The event was attended by Revenue Minister Shri Tankaram Verma, MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, MLA Shri Purandar Mishra, Shri Dharamlal Kaushik, and many other distinguished citizens and a large number of devotees.