Puri: The district administration of Puri has decided to enforce prohibitory order under Section 144 around Chandrabhaga beach in Konark in view of Magha Saptami dip scheduled to be observed on February 19, 2021.
The decision to impose the prohibitory order has been taken to prevent spread of COVID-19 during the festival that witnesses a mass gathering every year.
As per reports, the prohibitory order will come in to effect from 11 am of February 18 and remain in force till 1 pm of February 19.
The administration has warned the public against taking the holy dip in Chandrabhaga. However, the deities will take the customary dip as per the rituals.
As per the tradition, the presiding deities of Konark, Lord Tribeniswara, Lord Aisaneswara and Lord Dakhineswara embark on a grand procession to the Tirtha Mandap at Chandrabhaga on the auspicious occasion.
The deities then march to the NAC Bhoga Mandap and later they are taken for their customary bath early in the morning. The devotees then take holy dip at the beach before sunrise and offer their obeisance to the Sun God.
(Edited By Ramakanta Biswas)