Bidding Tradition at Mukteswar Temple Sees Dip in Participation This Year
Bhubaneswar, April 5 – The revered tradition of auctioning the first pitcher of holy water from the Marichi Kundapond, located within the premises of the iconic Mukteswar Temple, saw a winning bid of ₹21,000 this year. The auction took place on Friday night, just ahead of the Rukuna Ratha festival of Lord Lingaraj.The holy pond holds deep religious significance, especially among devotees hoping to overcome fertility issues. It is widely believed that bathing in its waters brings blessings of parenthood.
This year’s auction was organized by Bodu Nijog, a collective of servitors associated with the Lord Lingaraj Temple. A couple from the Damodarpur area of Cuttack district emerged as the highest bidders and secured the first pitcher of the sacred water.
Compared to previous years, the participation and bidding amount were significantly lower. In 2023, the winning bid had reached ₹41,000, while in earlier years, it had soared to as high as ₹2.5 lakh, highlighting a noticeable decline in interest this time.
“There were not many takers this year,” a committee member involved in the auction confirmed, pointing to a quieter event than usual.
The annual auction remains an integral spiritual and cultural aspect of the Rukuna Ratha celebrations, drawing devotees and bidders from across Odisha.
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