Rukuna Rath Jatra: Devotees pull chariot after a gap of 2 years

Bhubaneswar: Lord Lingaraj’s annual sojourn to Mausi Maa temple (Rameswar temple) began as the giant chariot started rolling on the stretch in Old Town area here on the auspicious occasion of Rukuna Rath Jatra today.

For the first time after two years, devotees participated in the car festival and pulled the chariot. The festival had been celebrated in a low-key manner without public participation over the last  two years due to COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the rituals, Mangala Alati was performed at 5 am, following which the temple was opened for devotees from 5.30 am to 6 am for Sahanamela Darshan. Later, Mahasnana was performed between 7 am to 8 am, followed by Pahandi Bije that began at 12.30 pm.

Thereafter, idols of three deities-Chandrashekhar, Rukmini and Basudev were escorted to the chariot amid chanting of hymns, beating of drums and gongs and blowing of conch shells. The deities would rest for 4 days at the Mausi Maa temple. Their return journey or Bahuda Yatra will be held on April 13.

Also Read: Rukuna Rath Jatra: Pitcher of Holy Marichi Kunda water auctioned for Rs 1.30 lakh

Elaborate security arrangements have been made by by the Commissionerate Police and temple administration for smooth conduct of the festival.

Earlier late last night, pitchers of water from Holy Marichi Kunda, a water tank on the premises of Mukteswar temple, was auctioned to childless couples late last night.

As per the belief, the Holy water helps barren women conceive, if bathed and drank on the eve of Ashokasthami of Lord Jagannath.

The highest bidder for the first pitcher of water was Biranchi Pradhan and his wife Sunanda of Barmunda Rental Colony here. It was auctioned for a whopping Rs 1.3o lakh. The second pitcher of water was sold at Rs 47,000 to one Saraswati Sahu of Bahadalpur village in Sarakantara here.