Puri: In one of the most important rituals performed during car festival, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb performed the Chhera Panhara ritual.
He arrived in his royal palanquin from the Raja Nahara to perform his duty as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath.
The king started the ritual with performing ‘Aalati’ and ‘Chamara Seva’ at Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot before sweeping it with a golden broom, followed by Debadalana of Devi Subhadra and Nandighosha of Lord Jagannath.
On each of the chariots, the servitors sprinkled fragrant water and flowers and the Gajapati swept with the golden broom.
The pulling of the chariots will commence at 4 PM.