Bhubaneswar: The annual Rukuna Rath Yatra of Lord Lingaraj in Odisha’s capital, which was slated to start at 3 pm on Wednesday, is likely to be delayed by two and half hours with all rituals preceding the festival running late.
“Construction and consecration ritual of the chariot got delayed. The district and the temple administration did not hand over the chariot at the scheduled time. Consequently, all rituals were delayed,” said Secretary of Brahman Niyog of Lingaraj Temple Biranchi Pati.
As per the decision taken by the temple administration and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), pulling of the chariot was scheduled at 3.30 pm. “It is likely to start at 5.30 or even later,” he added.
Notably, Mangala Alati ritual of Lord Lingaraj was performed at 8.15 am instead of the scheduled 5 am. The Bhoga Lagi ritual slated for noon will now begin between 3 pm and 3.30 pm.
Pahandi (procession of the deities from the temple to chariot) was to be held between 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm and is likely to be delayed now, sources said.
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The chariot will be pulled to the Gundicha Ghar in Rameswara temple but if it fails to reach the temple, it will be pulled again next morning. Bahuda Yatra of Lord Lingaraj will be held on April 2. Following tradition, ‘ashoka’ flowers are offered on Lord Lingaraj on Ashokashtami during the procession of Lord Lingaraj on the eighth day of the lunar eclipse of the month of Chaitra. Legend has it that the chariot has been named after Lord Krishna’s wife, Rukmini.
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS
Twin City Commissionerate Police has announced several traffic restrictions in Bhubaneswar on March 29, March 30, April 2 and April 3 in view of the annual event of Lord Lingaraj.
- No vehicles will be allowed on Rath Road from Mausima Chhak. They will be diverted either towards Museum Chhak or towards Vivekananda Marg.
- No vehicles will be allowed on Rath Road from Barik Sahi lane, Maharana Sahi lane, Gosagareswar Chhak, Sital Sasthi lane, Tinimundia Chhak, Harchandi lane, Muna Medical lane and Punama gate lane or any other lane/ by-lane emerging at Rath Road.
- No vehicles from Rath Khala will not be allowed on Rath Road, instead they will be diverted from Rath Khala towards Bata Mahadev Temple.
Violators will be slapped with a minimum penalty of Rs 500 which may extend up to Rs 1000 per offence.
HOLIDAY
Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Central Division, Suresh Chandra Dalai had earlier announced Ashokastami (Wednesday) as a local holiday in Khurda district. According to a notification issued by the RDC, all government offices in Khurda district will remain closed on March 29.
