Jai Shri jagannath! Governor, CM participates in Rath Yatra

 

 

 

Rathyatra Mahotsav was celebrated with religious fervour in Raipur on Sunday. Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the Rath Yatra Mahotsav of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath at Jagannath Temple in Gayatri Nagar in Raipur on the occasion of Rath Yatra. The Governor worshiped Lord Jagannath and wished for the happiness and prosperity of the country and the people of state. Governor Harichandan performed the ritual of Chhera-Pahra as the first Sevak of God. Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, Raipur Lok Sabha Member Brijmohan Agrawal, Raipur North MLA Purandar Mishra and others were also present.

 

Before starting the Rath Yatra, the idol of Lord Jagannath was brought to the chariot and the path was also cleaned with a golden broom. This ritual is called Chherapahara ritual. Chief Minister Sai congratulated all the people of the state for the Rath Yatra. “This festival is as big a festival for Odisha as it is for Chhattisgarh too. Mahaprabhu Jagannath is as dear to the people of Odisha as he is to the people of Chhattisgarh, and his blessings have been on Chhattisgarh as much as he has been on Odisha,” said Sai. “Lord Jagannath is the protector of farmers. It is due to his grace that it rains. It is by his grace that the paddy ears are filled with dudh. And it is by his grace that farmers get prosperity. I pray to Lord Jagannath that there should be a bountiful harvest in Chhattisgarh this year also. I pray to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra that they shower their blessings on all of us and lead us towards peace, prosperity and happiness,” he added.

 

The old tradition is carried out in the Gayatri Mandir in the state capital on the lines of Jagannath Rath Yatra of Puri. Chief Minister Sai performed the Chherapahara ritual and started the Rath Yatra by sweeping the place with a golden broom. After this, Chief Minister took the idol of Lord Jagannath to the chariot. Odisha is known for Rath Yatra in the country. Being a neighboring state of Odisha, it has a huge influence in Chhattisgarh also. In the Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath, Bhaiya Baldau and Sister Subhadra were worshiped in a special way. According to the priest of Jagannath temple, this is an unbreakable partnership between the Utkal culture and the culture of South Kosala. It is believed that the original place of Lord Jagannath is Shivrinarayan-Tirtha of Chhattisgarh, from here he went to Jagannathpuri and established himself. It was in Shivrinarayan itself that in Treta Yuga, Lord Shri Ram had accepted the sweet berries of Mata Shabari. Presently the temple of Nar-Narayan is established in the state