Bhubaneswar: A servitor fell from the chariot during preparations Rukuna Rath Yatra of Lord Lingaraj, the presiding deity of Ekamra Kshetra, which is set to begin at 2:30 pm on Thursday.
While working on construction and decoration of the chariot, a servitor lost balance and fell from the upper portion of the structure and sustained injuries to his leg and face. He was rushed to BMC Hospital, where doctors confirmed a fracture in his leg and facial injuries. His condition is stated to stable.
The Rath Yatra & It Uniqueness
The festival is celebrated on Ashokastami in the month of Chaitra on Shukla Ashtami (eighth day of the bright fortnight) when three deities, Chandrasekhar, the representative of lord Lingaraja, Rukmini and Basudeva are brought out of the 11th-century shrine to the chariot in ceremonial procession after completion of the rituals, which began with the Mangala Aarti between 4 and 4.30 am. Following the Pahandi procession of the deities, rituals are performed on the chariot. The Ghoda Bandha and Rath Charamala, the final chariot rituals, are expected to take place between 1.45 and 2:30 pm, after which the grand movement of the Rath will commence.
The chariot is expected to reach Rameshwar Temple around 6:30 pm, culminating with the Bada Singhara Besha, the grand attire of the deity, at 7.30 pm.
Thousands of devotees are expected to throng the streets of Bhubaneswar to witness the majestic journey of Lord Lingaraj from the shrine to the Rameshwar Temple in the chariot decorated with intricate designs and traditional motifs.
The temple administration has made extensive security arrangements with 16 platoons of police deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the procession. The deployment includes 30 women constables, 13 inspectors, 25 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors, seven assistant commissioners of police, three additional deputy commissioners and two deputy commissioners. Traffic regulation measures are also in place to manage the expected crowd of devotees. No vehicle will be allowed on the Rath Road from Rath Khala, Mausimaa Chhak, Maharana Sahi and Barik Sahi lanes, Gosagareswar Chhak, Sital Sasthi lane, Tinimundia Chhak, Harchandi Lane, Muna Medical Lane and Punama gate Lane.
After four days, the three deities will start the return journey. However, the chariot (Rukuna Rath) is turned around on the day of Bahuda and is instead pulled backward, which has earned it the name Analeuta.
On this occasion, water from the holy well called Marichi Kunda is auctioned, with the belief that infertile women can conceive after bathing with it. The first pitcher of water drawn the holy pond located in Mukteswar Temple here, on the eve of the festival, fetched Rs 7001. A couple from Barmunda Housing Board colony offered the highest price. The auction was conducted by Bodu Nijog, a group of servitors of Lord Lingaraj temple, faced challenges this year with fewer devotees participating, unlike previous years where bidding was competitive.
