Vishnu Deo Sai says the festival reflects faith, folk culture, social harmony and public participation; prayers offered for good rainfall, farmers’ prosperity and the state’s overall well-being.
TFP Bureau, Raipur, July 16,2026: Governor Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the grand Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra at the Jagannath Temple in Gayatri Nagar, Raipur, on Thursday, joining thousands of devotees in one of the state’s most revered religious celebrations.
The Governor and the Chief Minister offered prayers to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, seeking blessings for peace, prosperity, good health and the well-being of the people of Chhattisgarh. Both dignitaries also performed the traditional ‘Chera-Pahara’ ritual, symbolically sweeping the path of the chariot with a golden broom before the ceremonial procession began.
The temple premises resonated with Vedic chants, devotional hymns and the enthusiastic participation of devotees as the deities were ceremonially brought out of the sanctum and placed on the beautifully decorated chariot following traditional rituals.
Greeting the people on the occasion, Governor Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the Rath Yatra as a vibrant celebration of Sanatan culture, faith, folk traditions, social harmony and public participation. They said the festival conveys the timeless values of service, equality, dedication and public welfare.
Chief Minister Sai said Lord Jagannath is revered as the deity of farmers and the protector of the Annadata (food providers). He said the Lord’s blessings ensure timely rainfall, abundant harvests and prosperity for farming communities.
Praying for a favourable monsoon, the Chief Minister sought divine blessings for abundant rainfall across the state, agricultural prosperity, the success of farmers’ hard work and the continued progress of Chhattisgarh on the path of development.
He also expressed hope that the blessings of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra would bring happiness, peace, prosperity and auspiciousness to every household in the state. Religious and cultural festivals such as the Rath Yatra, he said, strengthen traditions while promoting unity, social harmony and collective consciousness.
The annual Rath Yatra at the Jagannath Temple in Gayatri Nagar is organised on the lines of the world-famous Puri Rath Yatra and attracts large numbers of devotees every year. The ‘Chera-Pahara’ ritual, one of the festival’s most significant traditions, symbolizes equality before the Lord and reinforces the belief that service is the highest form of devotion.
Given Chhattisgarh’s close cultural and geographical ties with neighbouring Odisha, devotion to Lord Jagannath holds a special place in the state. Rath Yatra celebrations are organised with great enthusiasm across several districts, serving as a cultural bridge between the traditions of Utkal and Dakshin Kosal.
Among those present on the occasion were MP Brijmohan Agrawal, MLA Purandar Mishra, chairpersons of various boards and corporations, senior public representatives, members of social and religious organisations, and a large gathering of devotees.
