Bhubaneswar, March 26: The auction of sacred Marichi Kunda water witnessed a sharp decline in bidding this year, with the first pot being sold for Rs7,001. Jitendra Biswal of Baramunda Housing Board secured the first auction.

Traditionally believed to bless childless couples with progeny, the Marichi Kunda water holds significant religious importance. However, in contrast to previous years—when bids ranged between Rs1 lakh and Rs2 lakh—the auction value has dropped considerably. Last year, the first pot was auctioned at ₹11,000.

Despite large participation by devotees, particularly childless couples, the auction process was delayed. Bidding for the first pot began at ₹15,000 around midnight but failed to attract buyers. The price was subsequently reduced to Rs11,000 at 1 AM, yet there were no takers until it finally settled at Rs7,001 around 2 AM.

The ritual is associated with strong religious beliefs that bathing in the Marichi Kunda, located within the Mukteshwar Temple premises in Ekamra Kshetra, helps couples conceive, particularly a male child. On the occasion of Chaitra Shukla Saptami, water from the kunda was first used for rituals related to the Rukuna Rath Yatra before the auction commenced.

Devotees, especially women, performed rituals at Lord Lingaraj Temple, offering coconuts, betel nuts, incense, and rice before participating in the auction. The event was organized by the Badu Nijog, with arrangements including temporary bathing facilities by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and adequate police deployment for security.

The declining auction value over the past two years points to a reduced number of bidders, raising concerns over waning participation in the traditional practice.