Bhubaneswar: Despite the hot and humid weather with temperature soaring to 41.9°C thousands of devotees pulled the chariot of Lord Lingaraj-Rukuna Rath on the occasion of the annual Rukuna Rath Yatra observed on Ashokastami today.
Pulling of the chariot was halted for the day after sunset near Papanasini chhak. Chariot pulling was behind schedule by about one and a half hours as rituals were delayed by half an hour.
Pulling of the Rukuna Rath will begin tomorrow (Wednesday) after the completion of rituals.
The Commissionerate Police had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the annual car festival of Lord Lingaraj. Police had set up a control room for the purpose.
As many as 12 platoons of policemen, 2 Additional DCPs, 6 ACPs and 15 Inspectors were deployed. In addition to that over 50 Sub Inspectors, Assistant Sub Inspectors, and Traffic officials were deployed.
On the other hand, in view of the heatwave special arrangements were put in place for the devotees including provision of adequate quantity of drinking water. Arrangements were made for spraying of water on devotees to beat the heatwave.
