PURI (Odisha), Feb 4 (PTI) – Thousands of devotees thronged the sacred Chandrabhaga beach in Odisha’s Puri district on Tuesday to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Magha Saptami, which marks the birthday of the Sun God.
Observed on the seventh day of the Hindu calendar month Magha, Magha Saptami holds immense religious significance. Devotees began their ritualistic bath at 4:37 AM, with sadhus being given the first opportunity to take the sacred dip. As the Chandrabhaga River no longer exists, an artificial pond has been created at the confluence of the riverbed and the Bay of Bengal to facilitate the ritual.
Rituals and Beliefs
Following the dip, devotees offered prayers to Tri Mahadev, which comprises the deities Triveniswar of Madhipur village, Tshaneswar of Santpur village, and Dakhineswar of Kurujang village in Puri district. The idols were ceremoniously carried in palanquins in a midnight procession and worshipped at the Konark Sun Temple.Worshippers also performed puja at Naba Graha within the Sun Temple premises. Many believe that the sacred dip cures skin ailments and absolves sins, a belief rooted in Hindu mythology. According to legend, Lord Krishna’s son, Shamba, was cured of leprosy after meditating and worshipping the Sun God for 12 days at Arka Kshetra—the ancient name of Konark—following a holy dip in the Chandrabhaga River.
Additionally, devotees offered cooked rice and dried fish dalma (Shukhua Dalma) to honor the mythological demon Arkasura, after whom the Konark area was named Arka Kshetra. The Sun God is believed to have slain Arkasura, making the region sacred.
Elaborate Arrangements for the Festival
To ensure the smooth conduct of the event, the Puri district administration put in place extensive arrangements at Chandrabhaga Beach. Puri District Collector and the Superintendent of Police were present at the site to oversee the security and management.A strong security presence was maintained with 33 police platoons (approximately 990 personnel) deployed at the venue. Additionally, 20 lifeguards were stationed near the beach to prevent any accidents. Traffic regulations were also enforced to manage the massive influx of devotees.
The festival at Chandrabhaga Beach remains one of the most spiritually significant and widely observed events in Odisha, drawing thousands of worshippers every year to seek the Sun God's blessings.
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