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Ashokashtami
 Location
: Bhubaneswar, Orissa
Deity
: Lord Lingaraj (Lord Shiva)
Falls
On
: Chaitra Shukla Ashtami (April)
Ashokashtami (April)
The Car Festival of Lord Lingaraj at Bhubaneswar, Ashokastami is held in the bright half of 'Chaitra'. The protégé of Lord Lingaraj is taken in a chariot from the main temple to Rameswar Temple and return after a four-day stay.
The Legend
There is a puranical account about the origin of the festival. It is said that Lord
Ramachandra, inspite of all efforts couldn't kill Ravana as Goddess Kali was protecting him. Then he was advised by 'Bibhisana', the younger brother of Ravana to propitiate the Mother Goddess and win Her support. Then Ramachandra prayed the Goddess for long seven days with elaborate rituals and could please Her to withdraw support from Ravana.
When Her favour was withdrawn it became easy for Ramachandra to kill Ravana through 'Brahmastra', the unfailing weapon. To celebrate this victory he took out Shiva and Durga, in a chariot, out of pleasure and satisfaction. From that day the festival is being observed.
As the 'shoka' or sorrow of Ramachandra was removed by the death of Ravana, this day is called "Ashoka"
(devoid of shoka) 'Astami' or 'Ashokastami'. Some religious texts are of the opinion that Parvati could get Shiva as Her husband on this day and she became 'Ashoka'
(removed off sorrowfulness) and therefore, the festival has been named as
Ashokastami.
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