About Ashoka Ashtami

About Ashoka Ashtami

      Ashoka Ashtami is the cart festival of lord Lingaraaj and Goddess Parvati(Bhubaneswar) in Odisha. This day is going to observe on 4th April of this year.This day is observed on the ‘Ashtami’ (8th  day) during the Shukla Paksha in the month of ‘Chaitra’. It falls during the auspicious ‘Chaitra Navratri’ festival. The word ‘Ashoka’ implies ‘one without sorrow’ and ‘Ashtami’ signifies ‘eighth day’. In this day the sorrows of Lord Rama were relieved by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati who is signifies as Shakti. According to the legends, before starting battle with Ravan, Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to seek their blessings. Pleased with Lord Rama’s dedication, Goddess Parvati blessed him and Ravan was killed by Lord Ram. From then onwards this victory of good over evil is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm by taking out a procession on the ‘Ashtami’ day of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
On this day people place the deity of Lord Lingaraaj(Chandra sekhara) and Goddess Parvati and take them to Rameswara temple with a great procession. This festival lasts for 7days. And with same procession deities took back to Lingaraaj temple..