Significance of Rukuna Ratha Yatra
Ashokaastami or Rukuna Ratha Yatra is one of the oldest festivals of Odisha and some consider it even to be more older than Shri Jagannatha's Ratha Yatra.
The Rukuna Ratha Yatra of Lingaraj Temple present in the Temple City Bhubaneswar takes place every year in the month of Chaitra and is during the Chaitra Navaratri.
Lord Shiva is the primary deity of the Lingaraj Temple. He is worshipped here as Harihara, both Hari, or Lord Vishnu, and Hara, or Lord Shiva, combined together. This combines the strengths of both Gods. Construction of the temple began when Shiva worship prevailed. Building the grand temple took many years. By that time, Vishnu worship and Jagannath culture had become increasingly popular. So the worship of Lord Vishnu was added to the temple rituals.
Modern-day Bhubaneswar was planned beside Ekamra Kshetra, which is popularly known today as Old Town. The significance of the Ekamra Kshetra is even described in the hallowed Brahma Purana. It is stated that a pilgrimage to this Kshetra is equivalent to a pilgrimage to Kashi and other ancient holy places.
Lord Lingaraj’s Rath Yatra has other indicators of its ancient tradition. The Rukuna Rath has wooden wheels and axles carved out of a single log of wood. This is a much older design than Lord Jagannath’s chariot, where the wheel and axle are separate pieces fitted together. The wheels, fixed as one solid piece with the axle, make the Rukuna Rath much more difficult to move and control.
On Ashokashtami, many special rituals take place inside the Lingaraj Temple. The Rukuna Rath stands on the Rath Road outside, waiting for the deities to board for their annual holiday. People gather on either side of the Rath Road, eager to get a glimpse of the divine chariot. Devotees vie for a chance to pull the Rath and gain spiritual merit.
the chalanta pratima or utsav moortis of Chandrashekhar (Lord Shiva), Rukmini and Basudev (Lord Vishnu) emerge from the temple, carried respectfully by priests. The three deities are escorted ceremoniously out of the temple and into the Rath during the pahandi ritual.
Just like Shri Jagannatha visits the Gundicha temple which is believed to be his Mausi(maternal aunt)'s place, in the same way the chariot of Shri Lingaraj also travels towards the Rameshwar temple located in Mausimaa Chakka. It is a beautifully carved temple in the ancient Ekamra Kshetra cluster. This, too, is a Shiva temple.
When the Rukuna Rath finally reaches the Rameshwar Temple, the deities alight and are welcomed with fanfare. Special bhogs and pujas are offered, and entertainment is arranged for the guest deities. This continues till Dwadashi and then the chariot moves back towards the Lingaraj temple.
The strange part of the ritual it that the chariot doesn't take a reverse turn during its return journey and moves back as it is.
After the deities enter the temple gates, there’s trouble afoot. Devi Parvati is upset with her husband, Lord Shiva. If he was so happy leaving her behind and enjoying herself with others, then why has he returned?
He has his duties to devotees, which he must perform, says Lord Shiva. But there are crowds and strangers outside. She would feel uncomfortable, so Lord Shiva didn’t take Devi Parvati along on the Rath yatra. Then he promises her long and beautiful private boat rides every evening on the Bindu Sagar Lake. This is the Chandan Yatra, which begins just a few days after the Rukuna Rath Yatra and continues for three weeks. This part is much similar to Nilandri Bije of Shri Jagannatha(Krishna) who also tries to pacify Lakshmi(Rukmini) for not taking her with him by feeding her with Rosogollas.
And this is how Odisha erupts with celebration of one of its oldest chariot festival.
