Mail News Service
Saraikela, June 26: Devotees witnessed a divine spectacle at the ancient Jagannath Shri Mandir in Saraikela during the auspicious occasion of Netra Utsav, as Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, along with His elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, gave darshan after a 15-day period of seclusion due to illness following Dev Snan Purnima.
The deity’s reappearance brought immense joy to the devotees, who gathered in large numbers for special worship and Bhog Prasad offerings, led by temple priests Pandit Brahmanand Mahapatra and Pandit Sanu Sarangi. Devotees continued their prayers and darshan until late evening. On Thursday, Kheer Khichdi was prepared in the temple kitchen, ‘Rososhaala Shathiyepohuti’ under the supervision of the Shri Jagannath Seva Samiti and offered to the deity. The Prasad was then distributed among devotees, accompanied by bhajan-kirtan in the temple premises.
Pran Pratishtha of Grand New Eight-Wheeled Chariot
Adding to the spiritual fervor, a new eight-wheeled grand chariot constructed for this year’s Rath Yatra underwent its Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony. In a grand traditional procession, Raja Singhdev, President of the Shri Jagannath Seva Samiti, brought the Ketana flag from the temple to the Rath Sthal. The chariot was then bathed with milk and Ganga water amid Vedic chants, followed by the Badadand Rathkhala Puja and consecration led by Pandit Sanu Sarangi and other temple priests. The flag was hoisted atop the chariot, and devotees offered prayers in reverence.
The ceremony saw participation from notable figures including Vice President Sanand Kumar Acharya, Rajesh Mishra, Lipu Mahanty, and Deepesh Kumar Rath, among others.
Women to pull the Chariot for the first time
In a significant and historic move, women devotees will lead the chariot-pulling for the first time in Saraikela’s Rath Yatra on Friday, symbolizing devotion and empowerment. The chariot will travel approximately 250 meters from Jagannath Shri Mandir to Gopabandhu Chowk. Jagannath Bhaktin Pinky Modak hailed the decision by the Shri Jagannath Seva Samiti as a landmark moment for women’s participation in spiritual traditions, generating great excitement among female devotees.
Traditional royal ritual of Chhainra-Paunra by Saraikela King
As per tradition, the idols of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balabhadra will be ceremonially brought to the chariot by devotees amid Vedic chants. Gajapati King of Saraikela, Pratap Aditya Singhdev, will perform the age-old Chhainra-Paunra ritual, walking ahead of the chariot and sprinkling sacred water mixed with Kush grass while sweeping the path with a Kush broom. He will then ceremonially flag off the Rath Yatra with Puja Archana, continuing the royal legacy.
The event will also witness the presence of local MLA and former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Champai Soren, as the chief guest. (w/gsd)
