Puri: Following the completion of the ‘Pahandi Bije’ ritual of Lord Jagannath, Puri king Dibyasingh Deba performed the ‘Cherra Pahanra’ ritual.
‘Chhera Pahanra’ is performed by the king of Puri every year during the Rath Yatra. After the idols of the Lords are installed on the chariots, Puri king Dibyasingha Deba sweeps the chariots of the Lords with a golden broom. This is followed by the king worshipping the deities by performing an aarati.
‘Chhera Panhara’ is an Odia word denoting sweeping and sprinkling holy water. This ritual is performed to show the devotion of the head of the state to the Lord. It is an ancient ritual but with the passage of time, the ritual has changed. Earlier, the king used to sweep the street before the chariots rolled out. With the passage of time, the ritual has been limited to the king sweeping the chariots only.
It sends out a message that in the eyes of Lord Jagannath there is no difference between a king and a sweeper.
To perform the job, the King is brought from the royal palace in a palanquin to the place where the chariots are parked.
A set of servitors meant for this purpose is there on the chariot. The King sweeps the floors of the chariots with a golden broom and sprinkles sandalwood water. After the completion of this ritual, the long-awaited chariot pulling begins
Rath Yatra 2024: Puri King Performs ‘Cherra Pahanra’
