Puri: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the holy city of Puri on Monday and held a courtesy meeting with Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb on the auspicious occasion of Snana Purnima.
The meeting took place amid vibrant festive fervour as lakhs of devotees gathered to witness the sacred bathing ritual of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra at the Snana Mandap.
During the warm and cordial interaction, CM Majhi and the Puri King discussed key aspects of the upcoming Rath Yatra, reviewed preparations for the grand festival, and deliberated on broader issues related to Jagannath culture, heritage preservation, and t
he development of Puri as a premier spiritual destination.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister joined thousands of devotees for darshan of the sibling deities during the Snana Yatra rituals, a significant event marking the ceremonial bathing of the deities with 108 pots of sacred water before the Anasara period and the grand chariot procession.
CM Majhi also visited the Gundicha Rath Khala at Bada Danda to inspect the ongoing construction of the three sacred chariots for Lord Jagannath (Nandighosa), Lord Balabhadra (Taladhwaja), and Devi Subhadra (Darpadalana). He interacted with the Maharana artisans, inquired about their needs, and stressed the importance of timely completion of the work.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister highlighted the invaluable role of the artisans, who uphold this ancient tradition with deep devotion. “Our government is committed to ensuring all cooperation necessary for their convenience, safety, and chariot construction work,” he said, expressing hope for a peaceful and grand Rath Yatra by the grace of Lord Jagannath.
The Chief Minister also met internationally acclaimed Padma Shri awardee Sudarshan Pattnaik in Puri. The two discussed ways to promote Odisha’s rich art, culture, and tourism potential on global platforms.