Magha Poornima
The Chandrabhaga fair is one of the most popular and colorful fairs of Orissa. This fair is held on Magha Poornima to honor the Sun God who is said to have cured Sri Krishna’s son Shambha from leprosy. It is held on the seventh day of Magha (January-February) at a beach close to Konark in Orissa for seven days. Pilgrims from various parts of India congregate every year to take a dip in the holy waters and offer their prayers to the sun.
A majority of pilgrims are form Orissa and also from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and even Madhya Pradesh. Besides these, tourists come to Konark to see the famous Sun temple. Tourists come from all directions in various modes of convenience.
On Magha Poornima, thousands of devotees waited with folded hand and chants of Hari Bold. They believe the Sun God to arrive in a blazing chariot pulled by seven horses in divine splendor. The moment for which they had walked miles and spent cold sleepless hours on the beach was soon approaching. As the earth turned a fraction of a degree eastward, the Subn’s being rays, consecrated the patient gathering at that place for blessing of the God Sun.
Magha Saptami heralds the occasion for performance of the Chandrabhaga rituals at a beach three kilometers from Konark. Behind this festival a mystical story where Shambha, the son of Lord Krishna, enter in to the chamber of his parents without permission, whey they were in a state of private bliss. Upon this issue Lord Krishna was angry on his son and caused with leprosy. Since the punishment was so acute, Narad took pity on his and instructed him to seek a cure that Chandrabhaga river. The place where Shambha is said to have mediated and worshiped the Sun God after ablutions in the river for twelve years have become a sacred spot possessing curative properties.
Today, the river is not to be seen. What is left could be described either as a large pond or a very small lake. Yet the faith is the cleaning powers of its waters. On this day of Magha Saptami, thousands of people go through the bathing rituals. The ritual bathing takes place form 3 am onwards, commencing with the priests and followed by the rest. After their purification they face with their eyes focused on a brighter section of the horizon for darshan (worship) of Sun God. After darshan, nearly 80 percent of the people begin their journey to home, stopping on their way for offerings at the local shrines on the beach and the thankurbani (home of the local priest), where ceremonies still continue.
In Chandrabhaga fair there are lots of things where tourists can enjoy a lot. There are toys and other games to attract children. And other games which are for elders are also very interesting. The kiosks also do brisk business during this time. For tourists, coconut water with soft, delicious kernel is very delicious to eat. Though essentially a religious event, entertainment is provided by dance troupes performing jatra (folk theatre) close to the Sun Temple. These programmes go on late into the night. An unwary pilgrim surrendering to compulsive hospitality is likely to find himself in one of them. As the morning stretches, the sands and the fisher folk, with their catamaranas, regain authority on Chandrabhaga. While the wind and the caves will erase, all traces of this mammoth congregation, the elestical drama, through repeated daily shall remain on ordinary event until the next Magha Saptami. Also we can find a grand fair at Khandagiri near Bhubaneswar the same day which continues for about a week. Lots of tourists and local people come from enjoyment and entertainment.
How to go
Airport There is no airport at Konark Bhubaneswar (65 km) is the nearest airhead. Indian Airlines, Jet air and the Shahara connect Bhubaneswar to Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad and Nagpur.
Railways The nearest railheads are also at Puri and Bhubaneswar. These two stations are connected to all the major Cities in Indian through long-distance trains.
By Road Orissa state Road Transport Corporation and private buses provide links with all parts of the state by road. Deluxe coach services from Calcutta, Bijapur, Bhubaneswar, Puri and Vishakhapatnam are available. Taxis, are-conditioned tourist’s cars, minibuses and deluxe coaches can be used for sightseeing. For short distances, it is advisable to use cycle rickshaws and three wheelers.
