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ANTIQUITY
It
is mentioned in Kapila Samhita that the region comprising the temple Konark and
the river Chandrabhaga formed the integral parts of Maitraya woods, associated
with the sports of many celestials. Prachi Mahatmya - another valuable treatise
embodies, many accounts of this once world famous temple. Affording to it, this
is one among the hundreds of temples situated4the banks of the holy river Prachi
and it was unique in many respects. Around this, there existed many Agraharams -
Brahmin colonies, reverberating with the Vedic chants and hymns; and they were
constructed primarily for the temple employees. It was a sea port of inter
continental fame, called Chitrotpala and carved out a name as a flourishing
centre of religion and trade. Here on this Punyabhumi countless people used to
throng during the annual festival for a holy dip in Chandrabhaga and to see the
rising Sun, believing that the Sun-god appeared with his chariot on this day.
This same festival is being celebrated every year on the Maglia Saptmi - seventh
day of bright fortnight of the Lunar month. Hieun Tsang, the renowned Chinese
Philosopher recorded his observations and associations in his diary and called
it Che-litalo.
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