Pilgrims on the beach near Konark are preparing the tent for the night. Konark is a small town in Puri district in the state of Orissa, India, on the Bay of Bengal, 65 kilometers from Bhubaneswar. The Megha Mela of Konark is an event that draws thousands of pilgrims to this holy town of Orissa. The Megha Mela is held on the 7th day of Magha (the bright half of the month, January-February) and can indeed be described as a mass convergence of pilgrims from all over. A trip to the Megha Mela in Konark, Orissa starts with a dip in the waters of Chandrabhaga Teertha. Devotees can be seen performing this ritual in huge numbers and welcoming the rising sun with fervent prayers. The hum of prayers simply rises to a crescendo as more and more devotees join the congregation to welcome the rising sun.
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