Puri, Mar 24: The preparations for the much-awaited Rath Yatra of Lord Lingaraj are in the final stages, with nearly 85% of the work completed. The remaining tasks are expected to conclude by this evening, ahead of the evening's Rath Pratishtha ceremony.

The Rukuna Rath Yatra will begin tomorrow, coinciding with Ashokashtami, a significant day in the temple calendar. The timings for the event have been meticulously planned to ensure smooth execution. The temple will open early in the morning, from 4:00 am to 4:30 am, for the Mangala Aarti. The Pahandi (procession of deities) will take place between 10:45 am and 11:45 am.

From 11:45 am to 1:45 pm, prayers and rituals will be held on the Rath (chariot). Following that, the Ghoda Bandha and Rath Charamala (final preparations for the chariot) will take place from 1:45 pm to 2:30 pm. The actual Rath movement will begin at 2:30 pm and continue throughout the day.

In the evening, at 6:30 pm, the Rath will reach the Rameshwar Temple, with a fixed schedule for rituals at the temple. The Bada Singhara Besha (grand attire) will begin at 7:30 pm, marking a pivotal moment in the Rath Yatra celebrations.

The grand Bahuda Yatra (return procession) is scheduled for the 30th of March. The entire event is expected to attract thousands of devotees and is set to be a spiritual and cultural spectacle.

With the detailed schedule in place, both temple officials and local authorities have worked in coordination to ensure the event is conducted smoothly while maintaining high security measures for the safety and convenience of the devotees.