Shuklastami is celebrated on union of Punarvasu Nakshatra in Chaitra month and Shukla Ashtami (eighth day). Those who eat eight buds of Ashok creeper on this day he become free from sorrow.

Chaitra Shukla Asthami is also celebrated as Ashokashthami in Orissa. A Car Festival of Lingaraj at Bhubaneshwar is held on the pattern of the Car Festival of Lord Jagannath at Puri. The idol of Lord Lingaraj is taken out in a giant wooden chariot to Rameshwar Temple, about 2 kms. From the Lingaraj Temple and returned after a four-day stay there. It is a major local festival and witnessed by thousands of devotees and spectators.