Yuvraj Siddharth Shekhar Singh, representing the royal family of Khandapada, participated in the Chhera Pahanra ritual during the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath at the Khandapada Garjat Temple in Odisha’s Nayagarh district. The event was a testament to the enduring traditions of the region, with Siddharth performing the sacred duty in place of his father, Bibhuti Bhushan Singh Mardaraj, who was unable to attend due to health concerns. The ritual, a symbol of humility and service, saw Siddharth sweeping around the chariot with a golden-handled broom, a gesture of devotion. Thousands of devotees gathered to witness the event, which highlighted the cultural and religious significance of the Rath Yatra in Khandapada, a tradition dating back to the reign of Raja Niladri Singh Mardaraj.
