Lord Lingaraj’s Rukuna Rath Yatra In Bhubaneswar On March 29

Bhubaneswar: Lingaraj temple administration is gearing up for the upcoming Rukuna Rath Yatra, car festival of Lord Lingaraj, in Osisha capital.

Following a coordination meeting, it was announced that the Rath Yatra would be celebrated on March  29.

Science and Technology Minister and local MLA Ashok Chandra Panda, Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Prafulla Swain, servitors of the Mandir Nijog and Energy Department officials were present at the meeting held on Thursday, sources said.

The schedule of different rituals of the deities was also decided at the meeting. As per the decision, the Mangala Alati will be performed at 5 am on the day of Ashokastami. It will be followed by Abakasha Niti and other rituals.

Pahandi (procession of the deities from the temple to chariot) will be held between 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm. The Lord will be escorted in grand procession and board the chariot at 1.30 pm.

Thereafter, the single chariot of the Lord will be pulled at around 3.30 pm. After the chariot arrives at Rameshwar temple in the evening, other rituals will be performed.

The servitors agreed at the meeting to complete the rituals on schedule so that the devotees can participate in pulling the chariot.

While the Rath Yatra will be organised on March 29, the Bahuda Yatra, return journey,  will be held on April 2.

During both Rukuna Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra, electricity transmission will be snapped in the concerned area for safety of devotees. Two fire service vehicles will be kept ready, while ambulance and Mo Bus services will be available adequately.

A tight security arrangement will be put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the festival and to prevent any untoward incident.