Pilgrims throng Sun Temple in Orissa

After the holy dip, the pilgrims paid a visit to the world famous Sun Temple as per tradition. “Since the last two decades I have been visiting Chandrabhaga and the Sun Temple on every solar eclipse day,” said 60-year-old Bhakta Prasad Mohanty, from Balasore district.

Many tourists from outside the state who visited Konark to see the Sun Temple but were not aware of Chandrabhaga also took a holy dip on Friday afternoon soon after the solar eclipse. The eclipse was partially visible in Orissa till about 3.30 in the afternoon.
“I had come here to see the Sun Temple. I was not aware of Chandrabhaga. Therefore, it was a pleasant surprise when I got an opportunity to take a holy dip here that too on a solar eclipse day,” said Ashok Yadav a tourist from Madhya Pradesh.

Legend has it that Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, had got himself cured of leprosy after taking a holy dip in Chandrabhaga and offering his prayer at the Sun Temple. However, it is not known if Samba had offered the prayer on the day of solar eclipse or some other day.

The icing in the cake for pilgrims and tourists, particularly those from outside the state, was the Archeological Survey of India(ASI)’s decision to withdraw the restrictions for the visitors to climb the steps of the Sun Temple and see the architectural marvel from close quarters.