Rukuna Ratha Jatra: Holy Marichi Kunda water auctioned for Rs 30,000

Bhubaneswar: On the eve of Rukuna Ratha Jatra of Lord Lingaraj, pitchers containing water from Holy Marichi Kunda, a water tank on the premises of Mukteswar temple here, were 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 Ashokashtami.

The highest bidder for the first pitcher of water was Malati Soren of Bhubaneswar with Rs 30,000, followed by Sheetal Rout of Bhubaneswar for second pitcher with Rs 16,000 and Anjali Pradhan of Angul for third pitcher with Rs 8,000.

Last year, the first pitcher of water was sold for whopping Rs 1.53 lakh.

Mythology has it that Lord Shiva had killed demon Maricha at that place and the demon’s wife Marichi had asked the Lord as to how she could become 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.