July 7th 2024.
In the small town of Dharmasala in Odisha's Jajpur district, the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Devi Subhadra takes place. It is a unique celebration, as the chariots are ceremonially swept by none other than the inspector-in-charge of the local police station. This year, it was IIC Tapan Kumar Nayak who had the honor of performing the ritual. He was escorted to the Jagannath temple at Bhalukhai in a beautifully decorated vehicle from his police station, which was located about 2 km away from the shrine. Dressed in royal attire, the inspector was warmly welcomed by the locals along the way.
As Nayak ascended the chariot and performed the traditional sweeping ceremony with a golden-handled broom, the priests chanted sacred mantras. According to one of the priests, the IIC holds a significant role as the primary servant of Lord Jagannath during this ceremony. After completing the ritual, Nayak expressed his gratitude and said, "It is a great privilege for me to serve the Lord."
In another part of the district, the Rath Yatra in Gadamadhupur, an erstwhile kingdom, also drew considerable attention. The highlight of this celebration was a woman member of the royal family, Aparna Dhir Singh Bharadwaj, performing the rituals on the chariot. At 46 years old, Aparna is a descendant of the Gadamadhupur royal family and has been performing these rituals for the past five years. She introduced a significant change in the 400-year-old tradition of her family.
After her father's demise in 2012, Aparna was crowned as the queen and has since taken on the responsibility of performing these rituals, as there was no male successor. The Rath Yatra in Gadamadhupur follows the traditional Puri code. After completing the rituals and the ceremonial procession of 'pahandi bije', the three deities are placed in the chariot, which then begins its journey at 5 pm. The royal temple saw thousands of devotees gather to participate in the festivities.
The Rath Yatra at Chhatia is also a notable event in the district as it features the longest chariot procession in the state. The three chariots are pulled from Chhatia to Badaghumuri, covering a distance of 12 km, including 8 km along National Highway 16. This procession attracts a large number of devotees, who enthusiastically participate in pulling the chariots all the way. The chariot pulling begins in the afternoon after the 'pahandi' of the deities and reaches the Mausima temple by evening. In addition to the devotees, many police personnel also take part in ensuring the smooth and swift movement of the chariots along the National Highway.
The annual Rath Yatra is a significant event in Jajpur district, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate the holy trinity. The police station's involvement in the ritual and the introduction of a female member of the royal family as the main performer adds a unique touch to the traditional celebrations. As the chariots make their way through the streets, filled with devotees and the sound of chants, it is a sight to behold and a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of Odisha.
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