lakhs of devotees assembled at the Chandrabhaga beach near Konark in Puri district to take holy dip and offer prayers to Sun God on the occasion of the Magha Saptami on Friday.
As per the Hindu belief, taking a dip early in the morning at Chandrabhaga and watching the rising Sun fulfils the wishes of the devotees and exonerates all their sins.
Along with Sun God, Mahadev is also worshipped at the place making the celebrations of this Magha Mela unique.
Another interesting ritual performed in the age-old Mela is cooked rice and dried fish (Shukhua) dalma, which is offered to the mythological demon Arkasura in whose name the place has been named as Arka Kshetra.
The food is then eaten together on banana leaves and the cooking pots are broken and thrown into the local pond. It is believed that all broken pieces of pots disappear from the pond afterwards.
The district administration made elaborate security arrangements for smooth conduct of the festival.