Lord Lingaraj’s Rukuna Ratha Yatra reached its concluding chapter today as the deities Chandrasekhar, Dola Govind, and Devi Durga prepared to return to the Lingaraj Temple from Rameswar Temple.
The farewell to Lord Rameswar marked the end of their brief spiritual stay.
Tradition holds that the deities visit Rameswar Temple to spend time with their divine friend, sharing spiritual conversations and enjoying offerings. The final darshan at Rameswar Temple took place between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. before the deities began their journey back.
The Bahuda Yatra procession included rituals, offerings, and stops at Asura Kiri and other Niyoga points for Pana offerings. Thousands of devotees lined the Rath route in Old Bhubaneswar to witness the grand return. The atmosphere reflected devotion and cultural pride as the chariot moved through the streets.
Special temple rituals began at 5 a.m. with the Adharapana offering performed between 12 noon and 1 p.m. Behera Sevaks tied horses to the chariot and opened the Ashwabandhi charmala before the Sarathi commanded the devotees to pull the chariot at 2:30 p.m.
Commissionerate Police deployed extensive security arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the Bahuda Yatra. Traffic control and safety measures allowed devotees to participate without difficulty. Officials confirmed that the deities would return to the temple by afternoon, concluding the five-day Rukuna Ratha Yatra.
