Ashoka Ashtami or Ashokashtami is one of the main festivals dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva and Mata Parvati. Ashoka means the protector who removes the obstacles and sorrows of the people. It is also known as Bhavani Ashtami. According to the Hindu calendar, Ashokashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami (8th day) of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. It is celebrated as a festival in Lingaraja Temple, Odisha and Unakoti Tripura, eastern region of India.
History of Ashokashtami Puja
Legends say that the Ashokashtami festival has a deep connection with the great Indian epic Ramayana. It is believed that Bhagwan Rama performed Ashokashtami puja before starting his journey to defeat the evil king Ravana. Rama emerged victorious, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Some of the main rituals of the festival are the worship of Bhagwan Shiva, Shakti and taking a dip in the sacred reservoir.
How is Ashokashtami celebrated?
The primary ritual of Ashokashtami festival in Unakoti Tripura focuses on taking a holy bath in Ashtamikund. This work is considered extremely sacred, as it brings good fortune to mankind.
Ashtami Kund or Sitakund is a natural water body in Tripura which is central to all religious traditions in Tripura. Hundreds of local residents and tourists come to Tripura to witness this festival and seek blessings of God.
During this time, Ashokashtami Mela or Ashokashtami Fair becomes a big attraction of Unakoti. This fair is a cultural festival of Tripura where people of different religions, caste and creed gather to celebrate the joyous festival.
Apart from Tripura, Ashokashtami is celebrated in many other parts of the country. For example, in Eastern India it is celebrated as the chariot festival.
Ashokashtami is also a part of Odisha culture, and the celebration takes place at the Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar. Festivals of Bhagwan Lingaraja are organized with great pomp and joy in the temple throughout the year. One of those festivals is Rukuna Rath Yatra, which means the journey of Bhagwan Lingaraja.
Importance of Ashokashtami
It is believed that this is the festival of Paap Binashkari Yatra i.e. destroyer of all evils and sins. On this day, the Shivalinga \"Utsava Vigraha\", the moving image of Bhagwan Shiva i.e. Lingaraja, which is believed to be dedicated by Ramachandra along with the image of Govinda, Bhagwan Vishnu along with Gopalini (Durga), Kumar and Nandikeshwara. The Rukuna Rath Yatra festival lasts for five to seven days. The chariot is pulled by devotees from Lingaraja to Rameshwar in Bhubaneswar city and returned on the fifth day.
| Related Name | Ashoka Ashtami, Bhavani Ashtami |
| Begins Tithi | Ashtami of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month |
| Reason | Lord Shiva |
| Celebrations | Bhajan Kirtan, Tableau, Aarti |
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श्री लिंगराज मंदिर @Bhubaneswar, Odisha
नारेली जैन मंदिर @Nareli, Rajasthan
उनाकोटी @Uttar Unakuti R.F., Tripura
