BERHAMPUR/KORAPUT, July 11, 2013: Royalty came out with all its grandeur on Rath Yatra. Clad in their regal attire that is accessorized by swords, scions of several royal families performed 'chhera pahanra' (sweeping of chariots) at different places in the state.

"I have carried on with this tradition since my father's death in 1974," said Sishir Kumar Narendra Dev, the elder son of Ashok Kumar Narendra Dev of Mahuri estate. He performed the 'chhera pahanra' at Khaspa street, where the Mahuri king built a Jagannath temple over 300 years, in Berhampur. Dev has sold his palace in Berhampur and shifted to Bhubaneswar with his family. He comes to Berhampur on Rath Yatra to perform 'chhera pahanra'.

Similarly, Gopinath Gajapati, a scion of the Paralakhemundi royal family, performed 'chhera pahanra' at Paralakhemundi. Several dignitaries, including the Gajapati collector, SP and MLA (Paralakhemundi) witnessed the ritual.

The royal families of Athagarh, Khallikote, Sorada, Jarada, Mahuri, Chikiti, Sheragada, Dharakote and Ghumusara have built many Jagannath temples at different places in Ganjam district to popularize Jagannath cult, said historian Shishir Kumar Panda.

In Jeypore, the rituals were completed on Wednesday but devotees will have to wait till Thursday before the chariots can be pulled. This is an age-old practice here.

Legend has it that after the king shifted to Jeypore from Puranagada, the festival was observed at both the places. "People would celebrate Rath Yatra at Puranagada and then come to Jeypore. This pushed the chariot pulling ritual here to the next day," said Paresh Rath, who has authored a book, 'Mandira Malini Jeypore'.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 11, 2013.