Bhubaneswar: Following the completion of the ‘Pahandi Bije’ ritual of Lord Jagannath, Puri king Dibyasingh Deba completed the ‘Cherra Pahanra’ ritual by 2.30 pm on Tuesday, clearing the way for the annual 9-day sojourn of three chariots of the Holy Trinity.
‘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.
Now, the holy journey, or the Rath Yatra will commence at 4.00 pm.
‘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.
