As the world famous Lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra (chariot festival) was celebrated without a restriction on the participation of devotees across the nation, including Jagannath Dham Puri, after a gap of two years, the chariot festivals celebrated across Chhattisgarh witnessed participation of large number of devotees. Jagannath Ratha Yatra celebrated in different parts of Raipur, the State Capital of Chhattisgarh saw a deluge of devotees.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel performed ‘Chhera Pahara’, a ritual held prior to the pulling of the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, at Jagganath temple, Gayatri Nagar. Governor Anusuiya Uikey and Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr Charandas Mahant, MP Jyotsna Mahant also participated in the rituals during the chariot festival.

MLA Kuldeep Juneja, corporator Tilak Bhai Patel performed the ritual at the chariot festival celebrated at Neelkantheshwar temple in Trimurti Nagar. BJP District President Shrichand Sundrani. Chariot festival was also celebrated in Sadar Bazaar of the city with traditional fervour. Earlier, Chief Minister Baghel participated in the rituals of Yagyashala and offered prayers. The Chief Minister also performed ‘aarti’ of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra at the temple. The Chief Minister prayed for the prosperity and happiness of the people of State and good rains in State. It is noteworthy that Lord Jagannath is equally associated with the culture of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Like Odisha, this festival of Ratha-Dooj is also an integral part of the culture of Chhattisgarh. The tradition of taking out the Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath on this day in the cities of Chhattisgarh is going on for centuries. This relationship between the culture of Utkal and Dakshin Kosala is unbreakable. It is believed that the original place of Lord Jagannath is Shivrinarayan pilgrimage in Chhattisgarh. From here Lord Jagannath went to Puri, according to the belief. In Shivrinarayan itself, in Treteya Yuga, Lord Shri Ram had accepted the sweet berries of Mata Shabri. Presently the temple of Nar-Narayan is established here. There has been Triveni Sangam in Shivrinarayan since Satyayug, where Mahanadi, Shivnath and Jonk rivers meet. In order to develop the places related to the exile period of Lord Rama in the form of tourism-pilgrimage in Chhattisgarh, the government has planned the development of Ram-van-gaman-circuit. Shivrinarayan is also a part of the scheme. The development and beautification of Shivrinarayan will further deepen the cultural partnership of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Devbhog is also an important area associated with Lord Jagannath in Chhattisgarh. The history of Bastar is also inextricably linked with Lord Jagannath. In 1408, King Purushottam Dev of Bastar went to Puri to get blessings from Lord Jagannath. In memory of him, the festival of Ratha Yatra is celebrated in the form of GonchaParva in Bastar which is all world famous today. Lord Jagannath is also seated in Podi village of Koriya district of Chhattisgarh and there is a very old tradition of worshiping Him. Like Odisha, in Chhattisgarh also the offerings of gram and moong are taken as Prasad of Lord Jagannath. It is believed that this offering leads to a healthy life. Just as the Mahanadi originating from Chhattisgarh gives life to both Odisha and Chhattisgarh equally, in the same way the grace of Lord Jagannath has been equally available to both the states.