Queen performed Chhera Pahanra on the chariot at Gadamadhupur .

Jajpur,17/07(PPT): 45 year old Queen Aparna Bhir Singh Bharadwaj swept the floor of the wooden chariot as part of rituals associated with the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Gadamadupur on Thursday.

.Hundreds of villagers and others from nearby areas were present when she was sweeping the floor of the Rath. Dressed in royal dresses, the Queen reached the chariot to perform Chhera Paharna .

Throughout the “ Chhera Pahanra” rituals, the husband and daughter of Aparna watched the proceedings with keen interest. The 15 minute long ritual captivated many as they watched her sweeping the floor.

“Our ancestor Udaya Karna Singh came from Rajasthan to Gadamadhupur in the 16th century . My father Raja Birabara Krunshaprasad died 17 years back leaving behind me and my younger sister. As per the royal tradition I became the queen after the demise of my father for which I did chera pharana “, said Aparna Bhir Singh Bharadwaj the present queen of the royal family who lives with her daughter princess Ridhika in the palace.