Corona Scare: Rukuna Rath Not To Roll Today

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: Perhaps for the first time in living memory, the Rukuna Rath Yatra of Lord Lingaraj will not be celebrated here on Wednesday considering the possibility of spread of the coronavirus.

Official sources said the decision to suspend the centuries-old Rukuna Yatra, which occupies a unique place on the festival calendar of Bhubaneswar, was taken following discussions between the temple and district administrations. The government has banned congregations in view of the COVID-19 threat.

“Rituals that are essentially performed on the day preceding the Yatra were not held on Tuesday. So, there will be no Rukuna Rath Yatra on Wednesday,” a temple servitor said.

The Rukuna Rath Yatra is also referred to as ‘Paapa Binashakari Yatra’, meaning the journey that destroys sins. On the Yatra day, the Utsav Vigraha (Chalanti Pratima or representative deity) of Lingaraj, along with Gopalini (Parvati), Kumara and Nandikesvara including the image of Govinda are taken out in a Rath (chariot) from the 11th century Lingaraj Temple to Rameswar Temple. People of the capital city, particularly from Old Town, participate in this annual week-long festival and pull the Rath.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

New Artist To Play King Kansa Role During Dhanu Yatra In Odisha’s Bargarh

Bargarh: A new artist will be selected to play the mythological character King Kansa during…

November 22, 2024

Shah Rukh’s Daughter Suhana Khan Brutally Trolled For Vivo Ad [Watch]

Mumbai: Suhana Khan will be making her Bollywood debut with ‘King’ along with her superstar…

November 22, 2024

Badshah Comes Out In Support Of Diljit Dosanjh In Alcohol Controversy

New Delhi: After Diljit Dosanjh called out the double standards of Telangana government for banning…

November 22, 2024

World War 3 Has Begun, Says Ukraine’s Former Military Chief

New Delhi: Recent actions and counter-actions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have pushed the world to the…

November 22, 2024

3 Arrested With Fake IPS Officers’ Uniforms, Identity Cards In Odisha’s Balangir

Balangir: Three persons were arrested and fake IPS officers’ uniforms along with fake identity cards…

November 22, 2024

‘I Want To Talk’: Twitterati Lauds Abhishek Bachchan, Say He Is Better Than Amitabh

Mumbai: Abhishek Bachchan’s highly-anticipated film ‘I Want To Talk’ released in theatres on Friday, and the…

November 22, 2024

Cash-For-Vote Row: BJP Leader’s Defamation Notice Against Rahul Gandhi, Kharge

New Delhi: Accused of giving cash to secure votes ahead of election day in Maharashtra,…

November 22, 2024

CM Mohan Majhi Attends ‘Odisha State Day’ Celebrations At IITF In Delhi

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the ‘Odisha State Day Celebrations’ at the 43rd…

November 22, 2024