Konark: The holy dip rituals on the occasion of Magha Saptami were conducted at the Chandrabhaga beach in Konark today without the participation of devotees due to prohibitory orders clamped in the wake of the pandemic.
As per the tradition, at around 4.30 am, the three presiding deities of Konark - Tribeniswar, Ishaneswar and Dakhineswar, all forms of Lord Shiva, were escorted on palanquins by servitors from their temples to Chandrabhaga where they were given a customary bath.
Later, servitors were allowed to take bath in the sea following which the Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of the Lords was performed.
Every year, lakhs of pilgrims take the ritualistic bath in Chandrabhaga and pray to Sun God on the auspicious occasion every year. But this year, devotees have been barred from taking part in the dip rituals.
"We have strictly followed the Covid-19 guidelines while performing the Magha Saptami rituals and the number of servitors engaged to perform the ceremonies were also limited. Only 20 sevayats were allowed to pull the chariots of Sun God," said a sevayat.
The prohibitory orders under Section 144 came into effect from11 am on Thursday and will remain in force till 1 pm today.
"The rituals were held smoothly while adhering to all the Covid-19 related norms. All the devotees cooperated with the district administration and the police," said a local intellectual."
Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh reviewed the security arrangements at Chandrabhaga on Thursday.
As many as 14 platoons of police force, 60 police officers, 5 DSP, 14 Inspectors, one additional SP, 200 home guards and 40 life guards were deployed in and around Chandrabhaha to ensure smooth conduct of Magha Saptami rituals.
On the seventh day of the first half of the ‘Magha’ month, it is believed that taking bath in the Chandrabhaga would cleanse skin diseases and wash away sins.
According to legend, Lord Krishna’s son Shamba was cured of leprosy after a holy dip at the Chandrabhaga River which once flowed through the precincts of the Sun Temple of Konark in Puri district, towards the Bay of Bengal.
https://youtu.be/xXxCsbb-Wy4
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)