Thousands of Devotees Take Holy Dip in Sea at Chandrabhaga on Magha Saptami

Konark: Thousands of devotees thronged to Chandrabhaga beach in Odisha’s Puri district on Friday morning to take holy dip and offer prayers to the Sun God on the occasion of Magha Saptami.

Pilgrims reached Chandrabhaga Beach before sunrise to take a dip in the sea and have a glimpse of the rising sun. It is believed that a holy dip in the sea at Chandrabhaga on this day washes away all sins and skin diseases.

As part of a tradition of generations, the pilgrims to Chandrabhaga Magha Mela cook rice and dried fish (shukhua) dalma which is offered to the mythological demon Arkasura in whose name the place has been named Arka Kshetra.

This ritualistic food is eaten together on banana leaves. After finishing the food the earthen pots used for cooking are broken and thrown into the pond as per tradition.

Along with Sun God, Lord Shiva is also worshipped on Magha Saptami. On this day, the famous ‘Magha Mela’ also starts at Khandagiri in Bhubaneswar.