Konark: Thousands of devotees took a holy dip on the occasion of Magha Saptami and offered prayers to the Sun god at Chandrabhaga beach near Konark in Puri district on Saturday morning.
The district administration has deployed 30 police platoons to maintain law and order. Besides, NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Services personnel are stationed along the beach for the safety of devotees taking bath. Also, 50 lifeguards are deployed to rescue devotees from drowning.
Legend has it that Shamba, son of Lord Krishna, was cured of leprosy after taking a holy dip at the Chandrabhaga on the seventh day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Magha. This gave rise to the tradition of the holy dip at Chandrabhaga on Magha Saptami.
