lakhs of pilgrims thronged Chandrabhaga near Konark on Sunday and took a holy dip in the sacred Chandrabhaga river and in the nearby sea after having a glimpse of the rising Sun and offering prayers to the Sun God on the occasion of Magha Saptami.
The pilgrims took the dip with an age-old belief that it would cleanse them of skin diseases and wash away their sins.
legend says Shamba, the son of lord Krishna, was cured of leprosy after taking a dip at Chandrabhaga on the seventh day of the bright half of the month of Magha.
The place, where Shambha is said to have meditated and worshipped the Sun God after bathing in the pond for 12 years, has become a sacred spot.
According to Hindu tradition, three deities, Tribeniswar, Aishaswar and Dakhineswar, were taken to the Chandrabhaga fairground on Saturday evening in a grand procession. At first, the deities took a dip, following which the piligrims bathed in the pond.
Tight security arrangements were made at Chandrabahaga for the safety and security of the pilgrims.
The Public Works Department put two temporary watchtowers besides setting up barricades around the Chandrabhaga coast for the benefit of the pilgrims.