Puri: Surya Rath Yatra (car festival of Sun God) was celebrated with pomp and gaiety at Konark in Odisha’s Puri district on the occasion of Samba Dashami on Saturday.
Hundreds of devotees turned up to participate in the Rath Yatra at Konark, which is known for the famous Sun Temple, in the morning. After the performing puja to Sun God and traditional rituals, the idol of Sun God was placed on a beautifully decorated chariot.
The devotees, pandits and sadhus pulled the chariot to the banks of river Chandrabhaga. The chariot will be stationed there till Magha Sapatami (seventh day of Magha month in Odia calendar) when the devotees will take holy dip in Chandrabhaga and pull the chariot back to original abode of Sun God.
The festival has been organised by Abadhuta Mutt and Odisha Soura Brahmin families for several generations. Though traditionally, it is believed that participating in this Rath Yatra cures several diseases and ensure a healthy body, the festival is celebrated for world peace and amity.
As per mythology, Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, was cursed by his father to lead a life of diseases. After realising his mistake, Samba worshipped Sun God and got cured of the diseases with his blessings. For this reason, Surya Rath Yatra is celebrated in honour of Sun.
