The chariot was on the verge of completion before the decision was taken. Batakrushna Maharana, the chief carpenter who has been heading the artisans, is a disappointed man. For the first time in living memory, the age-old tradition of Rukuna Rath Yatra of Lord Lingaraj that falls on April 1 this year has been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Rukuna Rath Yatra is believed to be “Papa Binashakari Yatra” (which destroys and eradicates all evil and sins). It is the biggest festival of the temple city. The weeklong festival is the high point of festivities in which locals throng with great fervour. This year, a miniature replica of the Rukuna Rath was showcased in the Odisha tableau during the Republic Day parade at New Delhi. The Rukuna Rath Yatra is believed to predate Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra at Puri.
Batakrushna Maharana said 75 carpenters had been working for the last three weeks. Nearly a thousand logs had been collected; new wheels and axles had been made. Four new Nahakas and two new Oras were constructed this year. Five tailors had nearly finished the work. Only the painting of the chariot was to be done.
Another uniqueness associated with the Rukuna Rath Yatra is the auction of Marichi Kund water which is held at the Mukteswar Temple. The belief that imbibing the water cures infertility if taken on the penultimate night of the Rath Yatra draws many hopefuls each year.
