Shri Vishnu Deo Sai pulls Lord Shri Jagannath’s Rath at Dokra Yatra, performs Gajapati Maharaja tradition, reiterates welfare initiatives

Raipur, July 16, 2026/
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the historic Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra Mahotsav-2026 at Dokra village in Jashpur district, where he, along with his wife Smt Kausalya Sai, performed the traditional role of Gajapati Maharaja by offering prayers to Lord Shri Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra and pulling the chariot, praying for the happiness, prosperity and good health of the people of the state.

Shri Sai also observed the sacred Chhera Pahara ritual by symbolically sweeping the path before the chariot with a golden broom and sprinkling sandalwood-mixed holy water, conveying the message of service, humility and devotion.

Addressing devotees, he said the Rath Yatra, a tradition dating back to 1942, reflects the region’s rich cultural heritage. He noted that this was the second grand procession since the temple’s consecration in 2025 after its renovation through public support, and highlighted Chhattisgarh’s longstanding cultural link with Lord Shri Jagannath, with Devbhog rice continuing to be used in Puri’s Mahaprasad.

Chief Minister also highlighted several government initiatives, including extension of the surcharge waiver scheme for electricity consumers by three months, round-the-clock grievance redressal through Chief Minister Helpline 1076, and delivery of over 520 government services through Atal Digital Seva Kendras.

He said the approved Dharamjaigarh-Lohardaga rail project would connect Jashpur to the rail network and that the sanctioned medical college would strengthen healthcare and higher education in the district.

Padma Shri Shri Jageshwar Yadav, Zila Panchayat President Shri Salik Sai, Commissioner Shri Narendra Dugga, IG Shri Deepak Kumar Jha, members of the Shri Jagannath Temple Organising Committee and a large number of devotees were present on ocassion.