Pulling of Rukuna Rath to begin at 4 pm

Bhubaneswar: Pulling of Rukuna Rath (Lord Lingaraj's chariot) in the Capital city on occasion of Ashokashtami is scheduled to begin at 4 pm on Thursday. The deity will enter Sri Rameshwar temple at 7.30 pm, sources at the Lingaraj Temple Administration said.

Mangala Alati and Abakasha Niti rituals were performed between 5 and 5.30 am today followed by the Sahanamela Darshan. The pahandi of the deity will begin between 1 pm and 2 pm.

Around 40 carpenters have built the chariot, sources at the temple administration added.

Meanwhile, 15 platoons of police force will be deployed to maintain law and order during the pulling of the chariot.

Sources said two additional DCP, 26 ACPs, 93 police officers, including inspectors, 70 home guards and 70 constables, will be deployed on law and order duty during the chariot pulling. Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi will supervise the arrangements.