Bhubaneswar: On the eve of Rukuna Rath Jatra of Lord Lingaraj, 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.
Mythology has it that Lord Shiva had killed demon Maricha at that place and the demon’s wife Marichi had asked the Lord how she could be a mother without her husband. Pleased over her prayer, the Lord granted her a boon. She bathed in the water of the tank and was blessed with motherhood. Ever since, the tank is known as Marichi Kunda.
Also Read: Shree Lingaraj’s ‘Rukuna Rath’ on April 9; see important timings
Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure smooth conduct of the annual chariot festival of Lord Lingaraj today. For the first time after two years, devotees will take part in the annual chariot festival today.
Pulling of the chariot by servitors and devotees will begin at 3:30 pm. The return journey or Bahuda Yatra will be held on April 13.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik greeted the people of Odisha on the auspicious occasion of Ashokasthami and Rukuna Rath Jatra.
ପବିତ୍ର ଅଶୋକାଷ୍ଟମୀ ତଥା ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀ ଲିଙ୍ଗରାଜଙ୍କ ରୁକୁଣା ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ଅବସରରେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା। ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଅପାର କରୁଣାରୁ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ଜୀବନ ସୁଖ, ସମୃଦ୍ଧିରେ ଭରିଯାଉ। pic.twitter.com/J2AcrGzF0M
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) April 9, 2022
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