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Raipur, 27 June 2025 – Governor Shri Ramesh Deka and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today took part in the grand Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath at the Jagannath Temple located in Gayatri Nagar, Raipur. Both the Governor and the Chief Minister performed worship and participated in the traditional ‘Chhera Pahara’ ritual. The First Lady of the state, Smt. Rani Deka Kakoti, also offered prayers with full devotion and rituals to Lord Jagannath.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the Rath Yatra organized at the Jagannath Temple in Raipur’s Gayatri Nagar. The idols of Lord Jagannath were ceremoniously brought from the temple to the chariot, and the path was ritually cleaned with a golden broom – a tradition known as Chhera Pahara – before the chariot procession began.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister extended greetings to the people of the state and said that this festival is as grand for Chhattisgarh as it is for Odisha. He added, “Lord Jagannath is the protector of farmers. By His grace, we receive rainfall, the paddy grains swell, and farmers’ homes are filled with prosperity. I pray to Lord Jagannath for a bountiful harvest in Chhattisgarh this year as well.” He further prayed for continued blessings from Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, wishing for peace, prosperity, and happiness for all.
Chief Minister Performs Chhera Pahara Ritual with a Golden Broom
Following the tradition modeled on the famous Rath Yatra of Puri, the ceremony in Raipur was conducted with great reverence. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai initiated the Rath Yatra by sweeping the path with a golden broom as part of the Chhera Pahara ritual. He then respectfully carried the idol of Lord Jagannath to the chariot and helped place it there.
Rath Yatra in Chhattisgarh Inspired by Odisha Tradition
While Odisha is renowned across India for the Rath Yatra, the neighboring state of Chhattisgarh also observes this festival with great devotion. Today’s chariot procession involved special rituals and worship of Lord Jagannath, His brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra. According to the temple priests, this event symbolizes the inseparable cultural connection between Utkal (Odisha) and Dakshin Kosal (Chhattisgarh).
It is believed that the original abode of Lord Jagannath was Shivrinarayan in Chhattisgarh, from where the deity later came to be established in Puri. Shivrinarayan is also the place where Lord Ram in the Treta Yuga accepted the sweet berries offered with love by Mata Shabari. A grand temple dedicated to Nar-Narayan now stands at that holy site.
Present at the event were Revenue Minister Shri Tankram Verma, Member of Parliament Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, MLAs Shri Purandar Mishra, Shri Dharamlal Kaushik, and other dignitaries, along with a large number of devotees.
