Gajapati Maharaja Performs Chhera Pahanra Ritual

Puri: On Friday, Divyasingha Deb, the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, conducted the sacred 'Chhera Pahanra' ceremony, which involves sweeping the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings prior to the grand procession.

Dressed in immaculate white garments and transported in a silver-plated palanquin, the Maharaja ascended the chariots to perform the sweeping with a broom featuring a golden handle, while priests recited Sanskrit verses and sprinkled flowers and scented water.

He also conducted the 'aarti' (light offering) for the deities and performed the 'Chamer' service.

As the foremost servitor of Lord Jagannath, the Gajapati Maharaja is entrusted with the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual, which is an integral part of the royal ceremonies.

"It is a divine blessing for my family and me to have the chance to serve Lord Jagannath and sweep his chariot during Rath Yatra," the Gajapati shared with a news agency the day before the festival.

This ritual is similarly observed by the Gajapati during 'Snana Purnima' (the bathing festival) and the Bahuda Yatra (the return car festival).

The Gajapati first offered prayers at the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, known as 'Taladhwaj', followed by Lord Jagannath's 'Nadighosh', and finally Devi Subhadra's 'Darpadalan'.

Traditionally, the Maharaja is notified about the deities' placement on the chariots by a messenger appointed by the temple officials.

Historical records indicate that the rulers of Orissa, starting with Anantvarman Chodagangadeva in the 12th century, proclaimed themselves as the 'Rauta' (servant) of Lord Jagannath, governing as his representatives.

After the Gajapati completes the 'Chhera Pahanra' and returns to the palace, wooden horses—painted brown for Devi Subhadra, black for Lord Balabhadra, and white for Lord Jagannath—are affixed to the chariots and subsequently pulled by devotees.

The act of a Maharaja sweeping the chariots symbolizes the principle that all individuals are equal before the Lord, as noted by Bhaskar Mishra, a researcher in the Jagannath tradition.

Pandit Suryanarayan Rathsharma emphasized that the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual conveys a profound message of equality, highlighting that in the eyes of the Lord, everyone is the same, regardless of their social status.