Rukuna Rath Yatra Begins in Bhubaneswar After Delay, Rope Snaps but Procession Continues

Overview

• The annual chariot festival for Lord Lingaraj drew thousands of devotees Thursday on Ashokashtami in the Old Town of Bhubaneswar.
• The chariot pull, slated for 2:30 pm, began around 3:45 pm in what a priest described as a brief halt after the main rope snapped minutes into the move.
• The Rukuna Rath is traveling 2.5 km along Ratha Road to the Rameswar (Mausima) Temple, with pulling to pause at sunset and resume the next morning if needed.
• Officials put 16 police platoons on the ground with traffic curbs, volunteers, and ambulances positioned along the route to handle heat, crowds, and emergencies.
• Preparations included consecration with water drawn from the Marichi Kunda well and the first pitcher auctioned for Rs 7,001, with the Bahuda return pull scheduled for March 30.