| SHAMBA
DASAMI |
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| Celebrated In
: Throughout Orissa |
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| Falls on : Tenth day in the bright fortnight of the month of Pausha (November - December). |
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| The tenth day in
the bright fortnight of the month of Pousa is known as "Shamba Dasami". The day
is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and is peculiar to Orissa. |
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The
Legend
There is a legend attached to the festival, which tells about how and when the festival
came to be observed. It also finds mention in the 'Shamba Purana'. 'Shamba' was the most
handsome son of Krishna who was also very proud. He never paid any respect to his elders
and mostly spent his life in licentious habits. |
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| Once he came
across 'Narada', who is revered by all Gods and Goddesses. But Shamba didn't pay any
respect to him. Instead he played tricks. This enraged the sage. In order to take revenge
of this insult Narada made a false allegation against him before his father Lord Krishna
that he had seen him in love-play with Gopis who are to be respected like mothers. Enraged
with this Krishna cursed him to be afflicted with leprosy. |
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| As a result,
Shamba got afflicted with leprosy and lost his handsome features, which were his pride.
Narada never believed that the curse would be so severe. He repented and then advised
Shamba to go to the 'Maitreya Bana' to sit in penance to receive the blessings of the Sun
God who would only cure him from this dreadful disease. Shamba sat in penance for long
twelve years. Being pleased with his devotion the Sun God cured him of the disease. The
day Shamba was freed from the disease is known as Shamb Dasami. The day is observed as a
festival to propitiate the Sun God as the best healer of diseases. |
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Maitreya
Bana
Maitreya Bana is identified with the present site of Konark where Shamba spent the rest of
his life worshipping the Sun God. Later, considering the religious importance of the place
"Langula Narasingha Deva", the mighty Ganga ruler of Orissa built the famous
shrine of Sun God at Konark in 13th century A.D. |
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Other
Legends Of Shamba Dasami
This is another variant of the legend about Shamba Dasami. It says that once Narada came
to Dwarka. There he found 'Rukmini' the spouse of Krishna to be morose and tearful. On
enquiry Rukmini disclosed that she gave birth to a child as beautiful as 'Madana', the
Cupid, but he was abducted by a demon and since then there is no end to her plight. |
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| Then Narada
consoled and advised her to pray Sun God to get back her child. To arouse belief and
strength in her, he narrated another story about the efficacy of such prayer. This tale
has it that there was a Brahmin in "Arka Kshetra" (Konark) named 'Goutama'. He
had three beautiful sons by his wife 'Padmamukhi'. |
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| To his ill luck
all of them died one by one. His grief-stricken wife attempted to commit suicide. The
Brahmin forbade her and then persuaded her to pray Sun God. She sat in deep penance
praying the God. Being moved by her devotion and, prayer the Sun God fulfilled her desire
and she was again blessed with children. |
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| Narrating the
story Narada advised Rukmini to worship the Sun God accordingly. She followed his advice
and prayed the God with utmost devotion. In the mean time, the lost child 'Pradyumna'
killed the demon 'Sambarasura' who abducted him and came down to his parents in a
'Veemana' (aeroplane). Both Krishna and Rukmini became overjoyed getting back their son.
According to this version, as the demon Sambarasura was killed on this day, the festival
is known as Sambara Dasami. |
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Main
Ritual
This festival is mostly observed by the elderly women who propitiate the Sun God to keep
their children free from all diseases. Those who are childless also pray for children. |
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| On this day, the
Sun God is invoked thrice, once in the morning, then at mid-day and lastly in the evening,
before the sunset. |
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