- Governor Shri Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai participated in the holy Rath Yatra of Lord Shri Jagannath and
performed the tradition of worship and Chera-Pahara and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the state, good rainfall and well-being of the farmers.
Governor Shri Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today participated in the grand Rath Yatra festival organized at the Lord Shri Jagannath Temple located in Gayatri Nagar of the capital Raipur. Both of them received the blessings of Lord Shri Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra by performing the rituals and performing the traditional ‘Chhera-Pahara’ ritual and prayed for the happiness, prosperity, peace, good health and well-being of the people of the state. On this occasion, the temple premises were filled with the faith, devotion and enthusiasm of the devotees. Amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras, bhajans and kirtans, the idols of Lord Shri Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra were brought from the temple to the chariot with special rituals.
Before this, Governor Shri Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai performed the symbolic purification of the Rath Marg by performing the traditional ritual of Chera-Pahara with a golden broom. After this, the idols of Mahaprabhu were reverently placed on the chariot and the Rath Yatra was inaugurated. On this occasion, Governor Shri Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai extended their heartfelt greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Rath Yatra and said that the Rath Yatra of Lord Shri Jagannath is a grand festival of Sanatan culture, social harmony, folk tradition and faith of the people. This festival gives the message of service, dedication, equality and public welfare to the society.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that Lord Jagannath is considered the deity of farmers and protector of food providers. His grace brings timely rain, greenery to the fields, milk to the paddy ears, and prosperity to farmers’ homes. He prayed to Lord Jagannath that this year the state receives abundant rainfall, agriculture prospers, the farmers’ hard work bears fruit, and Chhattisgarh continues to progress on the path of development and prosperity.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that may the divine blessings of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra remain upon all the people of the state, and may everyone’s life be filled with happiness, peace, prosperity, and well-being. He said that such religious and cultural events not only strengthen our traditions but also provide new energy to harmony, unity, and collective consciousness in society.
It is noteworthy that at the Lord Jagannath Temple in Gayatri Nagar, Raipur, this event is held every year with utmost devotion and traditional customs, modeled on the world-famous Rath Yatra of Puri. The tradition of Chhaera-Pahara symbolizes that all are equal before God and that service is the highest religion. It is noteworthy that Chhattisgarh, being a neighboring state of Odisha, has a special reverence and faith in Lord Jagannath. The Rath Yatra is celebrated with enthusiasm in many regions of the state.
This festival serves as a powerful bridge between the Utkal culture and the cultural traditions of South Kosala. On this occasion, MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, MLA Shri Purandar Mishra, chairpersons of various corporations, boards and commissions, senior public representatives, representatives of social and religious organizations and a large number of devotees were present.
