Bhubaneswar: The sacred five-day Rukuna Rath Yatra of Lord Lingaraj began with great spiritual zeal on Saturday, marking the auspicious occasion of Ashokastami. The age-old tradition unfolded in Bhubaneswar as Lord Lingaraj’s majestic chariot rolled out in the afternoon, following an array of elaborate rituals that commenced in the early hours of the morning.
Despite a delay from the scheduled 3:30 pm start, the Rath Yatra drew lakhs of devotees, who gathered in devotion and celebration along the Rath Road. The atmosphere reverberated with the rhythmic sounds of bells, conch shells, chants of “Haribol,” and traditional “Huluhuli,” as devotees braved the scorching heat to pull the chariot of the Lord with unwavering faith.
The day’s rituals began as early as 5 am with the Mangala Aarti, followed by the Sahana Mela darshan for devotees. Later, the Mahasnan ritual was performed between 7 pm and 8 pm, after Rosha or Pak Puja and Chhamu Pariskar Niti. The ritualistic precision and the grandeur of the occasion offered a glimpse into Odisha’s deep-rooted spiritual traditions.
While some devotees voiced concerns over the delay in the rituals, it did not dampen the collective spirit of the crowd, which continued to swell as the chariot made its way forward in a sea of devotion.
To maintain smooth proceedings and ensure public safety, a heavy police presence was deployed in and around the Lingaraj Temple premises. Thirteen platoons of police personnel were stationed under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), ensuring seamless crowd management and security.
As part of the Rukuna Rath tradition, Lord Lingaraj, along with Dolagobinda and his divine sister Rukmini, will journey to the Rameswaram shrine during this five-day yatra. The return journey, or Bahuda Yatra, is scheduled for four days later, continuing the age-old practice that resonates deeply with the spiritual identity of the region.
