BERHAMPUR: Fifteen-year-old Sulakhyana Gitanjali Devi has charted a new course in the history of the Rath Yatra at Dharakote in Orissa’s Ganjam district. The scion of the royal family has become the first woman to perform “Chera Pahanra” (the ceremonial sweeping) on the chariots from last year, marking a change in the 842-year-old tradition.
In strict adherence to the rituals, Sulakhyana was ushered on to the chariots in a decorated silver palanquin. The sight of the broom in hand of the Class X student of Rajkumar College of Raipur, clad in royal robes, had the over 30,000 devotees, who had assembled for the chariot pulling ceremony, in raptures. They fervently prayed for the wellbeing of the young scion as they started dragging the chariots after she completed the ritual.
Of the 18 erstwhile kingdoms in Ganjam, the Rath Yatra of
Dharakote, about 55 km from here, is unique. It is being celebrated as per the rituals of Puri. After the death of Kishore Singhdeo, the king of erstwhile Dharakote royal family, his daughter Sulakhyana was crowned the ruler of the kingdom last year.
After only 43 days of occupying the throne, Sulakhyana performed the sweeping on the chariot in 2010. Though she did not perform the ‘Chhera Pahanra’ during the beginning of the car festival last year as she was absent, she made it a point to do the service during the chariots’ return festival, Bahuda.
This year she was present at Dharakote much earlier and under her supervision the cart was prepared. Accompanied by her younger sister Shantipriya Geetanjali, Sulakhyana tied the ‘Pata Dora’ (sacred thread) to Lord Jagannath before His Pahandi (carriage) to the chariot, as per the ritual.
“It is a feeling of divine bliss. I am fortunate enough to perform the ‘Chhera Pahanra’ for the Trinity,” said a proud Sulakhyana.
The locals and priest of the Jagannath Temple at Dharakote are happy to have a girl as their king. Trinath Panda, the main priest of the temple said, “She is the ruler of Dharakote. Therefore, there is nothing wrong if she performs the rituals, including ‘Chhera Pahanra’. This year she was present from the beginning, hence more people are likely to attend the Bahuda Yatra.”