Ashokastami

Ashokastami  or Ashok Ashtami is observed in the month of Chaitra, Shukla Pakshya, Ashtami Tithi i.e. on the day of Durgashtami during the Basantika Navratri.

On this day the Annual Car Festival of Lord Lingaraj known as the Rukuna Ratha Yatra is celebrated. It is one of the most important festival of the Lingaraj Temple, where the idol of Lord Lingaraj is carried on a decorated chariot from the main temple to Rameswar temple (also known as Mausi Maa Temple) and returned after four days after the ritual bath in the Bindu-Sarovara tank.

The origin of Ashokastami is associated with an old legend. Lord Ramachandra, failed in all his efforts to kill Ravana who was protected by Goddess Kali and according to the advise of Ravana's younger brother Vibhisana, Rama decided to propitiate the Mother Goddess. Rama prayed to the goddess for long seven days with elaborate rituals and pleased her. When the goddess support was withdrawn from Ravana, Rama could easily kill him with 'Brahmastra', the unfailing weapon. As the 'shoka' or sorrow of Ramachandra was removed by the death of Ravana, this day is called Ashoka (devoid of shoka) Astami or Ashokastami. To celebrate the victory, Rama took out Shiva and Durga, in a chariot and from that day onwards the festival is being observed. 

Some religious texts are of the opinion that Parvati could get Shiva as her husband on this day and she became 'Ashoka' (removed off sorrowfulness) and therefore, the festival has been named as Ashokastami.

The celebration of Ashokastami starts with the Mangal Arati early in the morning followed by Sahana Mela and Mahasnana later in the day. Following the rituals, Pahandi is done, durimg which idols of Lord Chandrashekhar, an incarnation of Lord Lingaraj and deities Rukmini and Basudev are ceremonially taken to ascend the 45 feet well decorated chariot, called Rukuna Rath. Pulling of the Chariot starts nearer from Lingaraj temple to Rameswar Temple or Mausima Maa temple. The deities stay there for four days. Then they return to the main temple.

For the Yatra, a special Puja began on last mid-night midnight with the auction of Lord Lingaraj’s Marichikunda Paani. It is believed that if barren women take bath with the water they would be blessed with children. 

Parvati comes on the 3rd day to express her indignation, as she was not made to accompany her consort Lord Lingaraja in the Chariot. She then breaks a portion of the Chariot and returns back to the temple.

On the fifth day, the three deities start the return journey called Bahuda.

While returning the Chariot is drawn to the temple from the backside without having any turn (The Chariot does not take a turn. The altar of the deities is only changed). Hence, the popular saying in Odia: “Rukuna Ratha Analeuta“ i.e. the chariot of Rukuna or Rukmini (where Rukmini and Basudeva also sat along with Chandra Sekhar) never turns back!