Ashokastami is celebrated with pomp and gaiety in Tripura, especially in Unakoti, during Chaitra month as per Hindu calendar. Ashokastami Mela is the major attraction for the tourists or pilgrims who visit Tripura during the spring season. In 2010, Ashokastami date is March 23rd. This festival is of great significance according to Ochai, the sacred book of Tripura Hindus. Chaitra Shukla Astami, eighth day of bright half of Chaitra month, marks the day of Ashokashtami.
Ashokashtami festival is associated with the holy dip in Unakoti Astami Kunda or any other holy river. Unakoti is the most sacred place to observe Ashokashtami, Makar Sankranti, and Maha Shivaratri. Ashokastami is also celebrated in West Bengal, Orissa and some other North Indian places.
Ashokastami or Ashok Ashtami festival is observed on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami day on which Durgashtami is also observed during Basant Navratri. This festival is mainly celebrated in Orissa, Bengal, Tripura and some other parts of Eastern India. In 2010, Ashokashtami date is March 23. As the festival falls during Basant Navratri or Chaitra Navratri, it is also celebrated as Chaitra Durgashtami.
Ashokastami festival is celebrated with utmost gaiety and much pomp in Tripura and Orissa. In Bhubaneswar Lingaraj Temple and Puri Loknath Temple, the festival marks the grand celebrations. On this day, Lingaraj Rathyatra is held in Bhubaneswar. Lord Bhandar Loknath is taken in a procession to Isaneswar Mahadev to perform ritual ceremonies. In Tripura, at Unakoti Theertha near Kailashahar Ashokastami Jatra or a fair is organized.