ASHOKASHTAMI CELEBRATED IN THE ROLLING OF BABA LINGARAJ’S RUKUNA RATHA IN BHUBANESWAR. DID YOU KNOW THAT RUNKUNA RATHA IS SAID TO HAVE BEGUN BEFORE JAGANNATH RATHA YATRA?

Bhubaneswar’s Baba Lingaraj witnesses the annual Rukuna Rath today on Ashokashtami. This procession, believed by some to precede Puri’s Rath Jatra, is steeped in historical significance. Known as ‘Analeuta’, it uniquely avoids turns on its homeward journey, distinguishing it from other chariot processions.