Bhubaneswar: Before the commencement of the Rukuna Rath Yatra of Lord Lingaraj today, the first pitcher of holy water from the Marichi Kunda, a water tank located on the premises of the Mukteswar Temple, was auctioned for Rs 21,000.
According to sources, the auction, held late Friday night, saw Jitendra Maharana and Jyotsna Maharana from Cuttack’s Damodarpur emerge as the highest bidders, securing the first pitcher of sacred water for Rs 21,000.
This sacred water auction marks a significant preparatory ritual for the Rukuna Rath Yatra, a prominent festival celebrating Lord Lingaraj.
Every year on the eve of Ashokashtami, the sacred pitchers containing the water of Marichi Kunda are auctioned to childless couples, who believe that these waters will bless them with fertility.
According to mythological lore, Lord Shiva killed the demon Maricha at this sacred site. Marichi, the demon’s grieving wife, implored the Lord to grant her the blessing of motherhood despite her husband’s demise. Moved by her devotion, Lord Shiva bestowed a boon upon her. By bathing in the tank’s waters, Marichi was miraculously blessed with motherhood. From that day forward, the tank has been revered as Marichi Kunda, a symbol of the divine gift of fertility.
This ancient tradition steeped in local legend is a beacon of hope for countless families who converge on the temple from across the region to participate in the auction. The sacred waters, believed to possess mystical properties, are coveted by all, and the auction becomes a testament to the power of faith and tradition.
