Cops brave rain to control the crowd during the rath yatra on Grand Road in Puri on Wednesday. Picture by Pradip Sanyal

Like every year, the inspector of Town police station played a different role during rath yatra today. He was seen performing the ritual of chhera panhara (sweeping the floor of the chariot), rather than enforcing law and order.

This unique tradition has been continuing in Banthia mandir (dwarf temple) since 1976.

“Ever since rath yatra began for this temple, the chherra panhara is conducted by the inspector in charge of Town police station,” said Nibash Chandra Panda, the 68-year-old head priest of the temple.

“The temple, which was in a dilapidated state, was rebuilt with the initiative of the then inspector Pratap Dash. Recognising his contribution, the devotees and temple management assigned the privileged task to him. Since then, the tradition is continuing,” said Panda. Temple committee secretary Sudhasindhu Panda said: “We inform the inspector in advance about the rituals every year. We offer him a new joda (clothes) and he performs the rituals.”

The residents feel that it is a noble tradition that has been continuing for years. It helps the cops build a rapport with the public. The police personnel offer prasad to all the devotees and also erect a stage for a programme on devotional songs in front of the station. The present incumbent Manas Deo said: “I was posted here just two days ago and I have been asked to perform the rituals that my predecessors used to during their tenure. I consider myself fortunate to be considered able to shoulder this pious responsibility.”