Magha Saptami

This festival is celebrated on the seventh day of the new moon of Magha at the world famous Konark Sun Temple dedicated to Sun God. This is the most popular and colourful festival of the place when pilgrims from different parts of India and enthusiastic visitors from abroad visit Konark to observe the festival.

Rituals

Konark, the Black Pagoda, is a popular destination for worshipping Lord Surya or the Sun God. The devotees take a holy dip believing it will free them form evils as well as physical ailments. Pilgrims have gathered at the Chandrabhaga Fair ground where a massive cultural fair is on. As per legend, Shamba, the son of Lord Krishna, was cured of leprosy after taking holy dip at the Chandrabhaga river on the seventh day of the bright half of Magha.

At night, the deities Tribeniswara, Isaneswara and Dakshineswara of the world renowned Konark temple, will be carried in procession to the Chandrabhaga beach for special rituals. The devotees are already waiting for the Sun rise to take the holy dip in the Chandrabhaga sea. They will then visit the Navagraha deities at the temple and then start for Puri to visit the Jagannath temple.