Rath Yatra Held in Banpur – A Divine Gathering of Devotees and the Deity
Banpur: July 7, 2024 – Report by Ranjan Mahapatra – As in every year, this year too the Rath Yatra was celebrated in Banpur, one of Odisha’s ancient Shakti Peethas and a sacred land of Lord Jagannath’s hidden divine pastimes. The chariots of the presiding deities of Banpur – Shri Shri Rankanath Dev, Shri Charan Chakadev, and Shri Patitapavan Dev – were ceremoniously pulled amidst traditional rituals and devotion.
This year, due to the Nabajaubana Darshan and Shri Gundicha rituals falling on the same day, there was a slight delay in the start of the deities’ processions. The Pahandi (ceremonial procession) of Shri Rankanath began at 3 PM. After the ceremonial installation of the four deities on their respective chariots, the mobile deity was also carried in Pahandi. The deities were then adorned in their special attires.
After the dressing rituals, the ceremonial sweeping of the chariots (Chhera Pahanra) was performed by Raja Shri Santosh Kumar Manasingha Mardaraj Bhramarbara Ray, the royal descendant of the Banhada Garh and the present Raja of Parikud Garh, who arrived in a palanquin (Tamayan). Following the Chhera Pahanra, the pulling of the chariots commenced.
Hundreds of devotees from nearby areas thronged to witness the divine Rath Yatra in Banpur. To maintain order, local police from Banpur Police Station and student volunteers from Godavaris College Red Cross and Scout groups were present. Volunteers from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other organizations distributed drinking water to the devotees. All necessary arrangements were made by the Shri Shri Rankanath Temple Committee.
