Bhubaneswar: Samba Dashami is celebrated exclusively in the state of Odisha. The festival is unique to Odisha and falls on the 10th day of the Sukla Paksha of Pausha Masa. Women pray to the Sun God (Surya) for well-being of their children.
According to the scriptures, Shamb was the son of Lord Krishna and was suffering from leprosy. To get rid of this disease, he did penance of Lord Surya Dev for 12 years near Konark temple in Odisha. Pleased with the penance of Shamb, the Sun God cured his disease as a blessing.
On this day, mothers perform Surya Pooja (worshiping the sun) to please Lord Surya and to keep their children healthy.
The female head of the family sees the Sun God through a bowl of turmeric water and offers various different kinds of food items to appease the God. Cakes (Pithas) such as Manda Pitha, Kakara Pitha, Arisha Pitha are a must.
They then read the legend of ‘Samba Dasami Brata Katha’ and pray for the well-being of all family members, especially the children of the household.
Scientifically, the sun is the source of energy and to honour the Sun, this festival is widely celebrated in different parts of Odisha.
A huge number of devotees visit the Konark Temple to take a dip in the holy waters of Chandrbhaga and offer prayers to the Sun God.
Ms Kalinga