Puri: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today wielded a broom to sweep the Bada Danda (Grand Road) in Puri ahead of the world-famous Ratha Jatra of Lord Jagannath.

"Cleaning is a sacred act. As Lord of Universe Lord Jagannath will give darshan to millions of devotees on Bada Danda tomorrow, the state government undertook the cleanliness drive to keep the Bada Danda clean for the festival," Majhi told reporters.

"This is an initiative to create awareness among people on cleanliness and to keep the pilgrim town clean where millions of devotees from across the globe will congregate to witness Ratha Jatra of Lord Jagannath," he added.

Along with the CM, two Deputy CMs KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, CM's cabinet colleagues, Puri MP Sambit Patra, BJP MLAs and senior officials and volunteers joined the cleanliness drive from Bada Danda to Sharadhabali near Gundicha Temple, where Lord Jagannath and His Holy Siblings will stay during 9-day long Ratha Jatra.