Samba Dashami (ଶାମ୍ବ ଦଶମୀ or ସାତଘଡ଼ି)

Samba Dashami (Odia: ଶାମ୍ବ ଦଶମୀ) is a festival unique to the state of Odisha, India. The tenth day in the bright fortnight of the month of pousha (Nov.-Dec.) is known as Shamba Dasami. This festival is also known as Sataghadi (Odia: ସାତଘଡ଼ି) The day is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and is peculiar to Odisha. This festival is especially celebrated in the eastern part of Odisha.

According to legend, Samba, son of Lord Krishna, was afflicted by leprosy and was cured by the Sun God Surya after 12 years of penance near Konark. On this day, mothers pray to Surya for the health of their children.

This festival is mostly observed by the elderly women who propitiate the SunGod to keep their children free from all diseases. Those who are childless also pray for children.  On this day, the Sun God is invoked thrice. Once in the morning, then at mid-day and lastly in the evening, before the sun sets.

* All these photographs are taken by Sangram Keshari Senapati.