Rukuna Rath pulling suspended after chariot rope snaps thrice in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Pulling of Rukuna Rath of Lord Lingaraj was stopped for Saturday after chariot rope snapped thrice triggering resentment among lakhs of devotees.

Now, the chariot was stationed near Mukteswar temple. Though rituals were completed in time, the pulling of the chariot got delayed by around one hour from the scheduled time. It was stopped near Mukteswar temple as the ropes of the 35-feet high chariot snapped thrice, said a temple administration official.

It will be pulled again from 2 pm on Sunday to reach the Mausima temple.

Devotees from all over the state and outside were in town today to celebrate Rukuna Rath yatra.

After the rituals, bronze images of three deities – Chandrasekhar (the representative of Lord Lingaraj), Rukmini and Basudeva – were installed on the chariot parked outside the world famous Shiva shrine.

Preparations for the annual Rath Yatra had begun on Saturday with Neta Uchhaba (flag ceremony) when the chariot was ceremonially purified by the priests and a flag was fixed atop the chariot.

Adequate security arrangements were made to control the crowd.