Bhubaneswar: Despite the scorching heat, thousands of devotees participated in the 'Rukun Rath Yatra' of Lord Lingaraja here on Tuesday.
'Rukuna Rath Yatra' was organized in front of Lord Lingaraja Temple in the old city of Bhubaneswar on the occasion of Ashokashtami.
As the temperature reached 41. degrees Celsius, administrative officials, besides ensuring tight security, also distributed drinking water to the devotees.
A large police contingent of 12 platoons (3 personnel in a platoon) of police personnel besides several officers were deployed for the event.
The bronze idols of 'Chandrasekhara' (representative idol of Lord Lingaraja), Deva Rukuna and Ananta Basudeva were taken out on chariots from the main temple in a ceremonial procession called 'Pahandi' amid the sounds of drums, bells and cymbals in the afternoon. Of conch shells.
Earlier at 5 am, rituals like 'Mangala Alati' were performed at the 11th century temple, followed by 'Abakasha' and 'Sahanmela'.
Although the chariot pulling work was scheduled to begin at 3.30 pm, it got delayed due to various reasons including heat wave conditions.
The chariot was pulled for 2 km through Rath Road to the abode of the Lord, Rameshwar Temple.
'Rukuna Rath Yatra' was organized in front of Lord Lingaraja Temple in the old city of Bhubaneswar on the occasion of Ashokashtami.
As the temperature reached 41. degrees Celsius, administrative officials, besides ensuring tight security, also distributed drinking water to the devotees.
A large police contingent of 12 platoons (3 personnel in a platoon) of police personnel besides several officers were deployed for the event.
The bronze idols of 'Chandrasekhara' (representative idol of Lord Lingaraja), Deva Rukuna and Ananta Basudeva were taken out on chariots from the main temple in a ceremonial procession called 'Pahandi' amid the sounds of drums, bells and cymbals in the afternoon. Of conch shells.
Earlier at 5 am, rituals like 'Mangala Alati' were performed at the 11th century temple, followed by 'Abakasha' and 'Sahanmela'.
Although the chariot pulling work was scheduled to begin at 3.30 pm, it got delayed due to various reasons including heat wave conditions.
The chariot was pulled for 2 km through Rath Road to the abode of the Lord, Rameshwar Temple.
