Puri Rath Yatra begins; Gajapati Maharaja performs 'Chhera Pahanra'
On 27 June 2025 in Puri, Odisha, the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath began, with the Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb performing the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual.
Summary
The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath began in Puri, Odisha, on 27 June 2025, with PM Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu extending greetings. The Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Dibyasingha Deb, regarded as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, performed the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual. He swept the chariot floors with a golden-handled broom before devotees pulled the chariots. He first offered prayers at Lord Balabhadra's chariot Taladhwaj, then Lord Jagannath's Nandighosh and finally Devi Subhadra's Darpadalan. During the yatra, the chariots are pulled from the Shri Jagannath temple to the Shree Gundicha temple. The President's message noted that devotees see Balabhadra, Jagannath, Subhadra and Chakraraj Sudarshan seated on the chariot.
Key facts
- Date / place
- 27 June 2025, Puri, Odisha
- Chhera Pahanra by
- Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb (first servitor)
- Broom
- Golden-handled
- Balabhadra's chariot
- Taladhwaj
- Jagannath's chariot
- Nandighosh
- Subhadra's chariot
- Darpadalan
- Route
- Shri Jagannath temple to Shree Gundicha temple
- Greetings
- President Droupadi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Who performs the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual of sweeping the chariots during the Puri Rath Yatra?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — The Gajapati Maharaja of Puri
PTI/OdishaBytes: the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Dibyasingha Deb, considered the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, performed the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual on 27 June 2025.
In the Puri Rath Yatra, what is the name of Lord Jagannath's chariot?
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Correct answer: C — Nandighosh
PTI/OdishaBytes/The Hindu: Lord Jagannath's chariot is Nandighosh; Taladhwaj is Lord Balabhadra's and Darpadalan is Devi Subhadra's.
During the Puri Rath Yatra, the chariots of the three deities are pulled from the Shri Jagannath temple to which temple?
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Correct answer: B — Shree Gundicha Temple
The Hindu (PTI): during the annual yatra, the chariots are pulled from the Shri Jagannath temple to the Shree Gundicha temple in Puri.
Consider the following statements about the Puri Rath Yatra of 27 June 2025: 1. During 'Chhera Pahanra', the Gajapati first offered prayers at Lord Balabhadra's chariot Taladhwaj. 2. The chariots are pulled from the Shree Gundicha temple to the Shri Jagannath temple on the day of the Rath Yatra. 3. President Murmu's message mentioned Chakraraj Sudarshan seated on the chariot along with Balabhadra, Jagannath and Subhadra. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 3 only
Statements 1 and 3 are correct (PTI/OdishaBytes; The Hindu). Statement 2 is wrong: on Rath Yatra the chariots go from the Shri Jagannath temple to the Shree Gundicha temple.