RITUALS OF CAR FESTIVAL OF PURI

When the deities are installed in their respective Rathas,the following rituals are observed on the eve of commencement of the journey.

(i)  Chaka apasaras(circular cushions) are provided to the deities.
(ii) Proxy divinities, i.e. Madanamohana and Ramakrishna are brought from the temple and placed in Nandighosha and Taladhwaja respectively.
(iii) Two big chests containing provisions,raiment and other necessary articles for use of the deities during the journey and sojourn,are kept in the chariots.
(iv) Chitas (special head ornaments made of sola and studded with artificial gems) and flower decorations(malachula lagi) and pata vastra are provided to the deities.A cocoanut sent by the villagers of Baligaon Dasia Bauri is also presented to Lord Jagannath.
(v) Chhera Pamhara(moping of the Ratha platform by the Thakura Raja of Puri).The King comes from the palace in a decorated palanquin(mehena),offers garlands,performs arati,pays reverential salute(danda pranama),fans the deity by golden chamara(flywhisk) and symbolically sweeps the platform round the deity.Thus,the Raja,as the foremost servitor performs the ignoble job of a sweeper(chandal) as a mark of utmost humility in the presence of the Lord of the Universe.

(vi) Sarathis (three wooden charioteers one for each chariot) are then fastened on to the chariots by the Bhois.
(vii) Chhera Pamhara(moping of the Ratha platform by the Thakura Raja of Puri).The King comes from the palace in a decorated palanquin(mehena),offers garlands,performs arati,pays reverential salute(danda pranama),fans the deity by golden chamara(flywhisk) and symbolically sweeps the platform round the deity.Thus,the Raja,as the foremost servitor performs the ignoble job of a sweeper(chandal) as a mark of utmost humility in the presence of the Lord of the Universe.
(viii) Charas (impromptu wooden flights of stairs to the chariots) are taken out.
(ix) Wooden horses (four to each chariot) are yoked.
(x) Lakhs of devotees,men,women,young and old irrespective of caste,creed and nationality scramble eagerly for a touch of the 250 feet holy coir cables to pull the chariots along the 3km. long Grand road to the terminal point at the Gundicha temple in the north-east.The devotees are also assisted by the Kala bethias or professional chariot pullers.

(From the Lions gate to the Gundicha Temple)
First moves the Taladhwaja,the chariot of Balabhadra,then Darpadalana and lastly Nandighosa.During the journey,the deities are presented with holy offerings(pankti) on behalf of various mathas and institutions.

(Stay in the Rathas-from the following night to the next day evening)
After the chariots are parked in front of the Gundicha temple,
(i) The deities undergo a ceremonial mahasnsna.
(ii) They are dressed in Boirani cloth.
(iii) Various offerings are made i.e. bhoga,arati,badasimhara dhupa and khandua lagi, etc.