The Rukuna Rath (chariot) festival began today where the chariot started rolling from the premises of the 11th century shrine, Lingaraj Temple. The chariot began moving at the behest of the devotees pulling the ropes of the chariot after two long years when the pandemic played the villain.
The chariot rituals began early morning when the chariot was worshipped and washed with water from Marichi Kunda as per the rituals. Thereafter, the first pot of water was auctioned at a whopping price of 1,30,000. The water is believed to cure women of infertility.
The chariot covered almost half the distance it is supposed to cover to reach the Rameswar Temple. The chariot can only roll until the sunset following which it is barred from moving.
The gathering of devotees excited to see the lord gave a hope towards the world getting back to normal post pandemic.
