Magha Saptami: Thousands Take Holy Deep at Chandrabhaga, Khandagiri All Set for Magha Mela

Bhubaneswar: After a gap of almost two years due to COVID restrictions, devotees got the chance to celebrate Magha Saptami with religious fervor.

Thousands of pilgrims reached Chandrabhaga beach near Konark Sun Temple to take the ritualistic holy bath on Saturday.  It is believed that Samba, the son of Lord Krishna was cured of leprosy at this spot by worshipping the Sun God for 12 and 12 holy dips in the Chandrabhaga river.

According to tradition, the pilgrims are allowed to take a dip after the bathing ceremony of the three deities Tribeniswar, Ishaneswar, and Dakhineswar, who are escorted on palanquins from their temples to the Chandrbhaga at midnight.

After their dip in the holy pond at Chandrabhaga beach, the devotees offered prayers at Nabagraha temple on the Sun Temple premises. To manage the huge crowd of pilgrims, around 30 platoon police forces were deployed in Chandrabhaga and Konark areas.

The famous Khandagiri Mela is all set to begin in Bhubaneswar from Magha Saptami day on Saturday.  Saints from across the nation including Naga sadhus from the Himalayas have started arriving at Khandagiri to take part in this unique fair. Many of them have already set up their tents and lit up the holy fire.

Major attraction of this fair is the opera shows by all major opera troupes of the state. They have set up their massive tents at the foothills of Khandagiri.

Adequate police arrangement has been made keeping in view the massive inflow of visitors expected to come to fair and opera shows. Shopkeepers have also been allotted space to showcase their merchandise. This year, arrangements for parking have been made in six different places.