Puri king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb will abstain from performing Chhera Pahanra on Snana Jatra

Puri: 23/6/21:Like previous year, Puri king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb,  will abstain from performing Chhera Pahanra (sweeping of floors) at Puri Srimandir on Snana Jatra tomorrow in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Gajapati will not perform his traditional duty on S nana Jatra as two of his home staff have tested positive for COVID-19. He has intimidated Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) regarding the same\

.On his behalf, Narayana Mudirasta (16), the youngest young servitor of the shrine will perform the ritual on Snana Mandap (bathing altar), where the deities would be given a ceremonial bath tomorrow.

As per the temple law, only a minor member of Mudirasta servitor’s family can perform Chhera Pahanra in the absence of the Gajapati. Last year, Narayan’s elder brother Aditya Narayan Mudirasta, had performed the ritual on Debasnana Purnima.