Bhubaneswar, June 11: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday took part in the sacred Pahandi rituals of Deba Snana Purnima at the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri, marking his first participation in the event as Chief Minister.

The ceremonial occasion, which precedes the annual Rath Yatra, witnessed the grand procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from the sanctum sanctorum to the Snana Mandap (bathing platform), accompanied by rhythmic chants, conches, and thousands of devotees.

“I witnessed Mahaprabhu’s Pahandi for the first time today. I had darshan of the deities and prayed for a smooth and peaceful Rath Yatra. The temple administration and servitors are doing excellent work, and I am confident this year’s festival will be seamless,” said CM Majhi.

As part of the Snana Purnima rituals, the deities are ritually bathed with 108 pots of water mixed with sandalwood and herbs. Post-bathing, the deities enter Anasara—a 15-day period of seclusion and healing—before reappearing for the Rath Yatra later this month. Preparations for the grand chariot festival are already in full swing.

Powered by Froala Editor