The sacred Bhaunri festival was celebrated today in the holy town of Puri, with the traditional Chaka Akha Dera ritual being performed at the Ratha Khala.
Following the morning Dhoopa Niti at the Srimandir, the Agyan Mala was ceremoniously brought from the temple, marking the commencement of this important ritual.
As per tradition, servitors carried out the Chaka Akha Dera ritual on the two unpainted wheels of the three chariots, an essential step in the grand preparation for the upcoming Rath Yatra. The festival, deeply rooted in Jagannath culture, plays a significant role in the chariot-building process, ensuring the chariots are sanctified before the grand journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.
Devotees and servitors gathered to witness the ritual, offering prayers and seeking blessings, as the air filled with chants and devotional fervor. The Chaka Dera Niti not only symbolizes the divine tradition but also strengthens the spiritual connection of devotees with the sacred journey ahead.
