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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
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.
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.
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.