Activities for Lord Lingaraj’s Rukuna Rath Yatra are booming in the capital city. Lord Lingaraj will travel to the Mausima Temple with Goddess Durga and Lord Gobinda during the festival, which is a component of the Ashokastami worship.
At 5 am, the Mangala Alati and Abakasha rites kicked off the celebrations, and at 5.30 am, the Sahana Mela darshan took place. At 6:30 am, 7 am, and 8:00 am, respectively, the Chhamu Puskara, Maha Snana, and Besha rites were performed.
The chariot procession for the Rukuna Rath Yatra will start at the Lingaraj Temple at 3:30 pm.
The Commissionerate Police have prepared intricate plans to ensure the festival runs smoothly.
Bhubaneswar DCP, Jagmohan Meena, and Traffic DCP, Tapan Mahanty, will oversee the security and traffic arrangements. Three additional DCPs, five ACPs, 12 Inspectors, 55 Sub-Inspectors, and 16 platoons of police force, including 85 Home Guards, have been deployed to ensure the safety and security of devotees.
Besides, the Commissionerate Police also imposed traffic regulations for the event.
According to traffic laws, no cars from Mausimaa Chowk would be permitted on Rath Road. They will be rerouted either to Vivekananda Marg or Museum Chowk. Rath Road will also be closed to cars from a number of lanes, including Punama Gate Lane, Barik Sahi Lane, Maharana Sahi Lane, Gosagareswar Chhak, Sital Sasthi Lane, Tinimundia Chhak, Harchandi Lane, and Muna Medical Lane. Additionally, traffic from Rath Khala will be rerouted to Bata Mahadev Temple.