Samba Dashami (pronounced as Saambo Doshomi) is a unique festival celebrated mostly in the state of Odisha, India on the 10th day of the Shukla Paksha of Pausha Masa (as per Hindu calendar) which is the 10th day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of January.
According to legend, Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, was afflicted by leprosy. He did penance and prayed to the Sun God continuously for 12 years. The venue he chose was Konark near the sea beach at Puri, Odisha. This was a unique point where Sun’s rays are believed to have maximum healing powers. He finally got cured by the Sun God. It is believed that he built the vast Konark Sun Temple that is a technical marvel of Ancient India. What remains of the temple today are only the ruins at the entrance.
In remembrance of this event, on this day, mothers pray to Surya Devta for the health of their children.
The women in the family wakeup before sunrise. After bathing, they prepare favorite dishes that are attributed to each family member, especially children and offer it to the Sun God. Some of the unique food items prepared are a set of cake-like dishes called pitha (cake), which includes manda pitha, kakara pitha, poda pitha, arisha pitha. Other interesting food items prepared on this auspicious day in Odisha are biri laddoo, makar chaula, chhenaguda, khiri, rasagulla and chhenagaja and many more delicious dishes.
Wishing you all good health and a happy Samba Dashami.
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