The Legend say , Samba was the son of Lord Krushna ( Krishna ), once affected by leprosy disease . Samba performed a severe penance of 12 years for Lord Surya at Surya Khetra Konark ( Arkakhetra ) . After 12 years of severe penance Samba succeeded in pleasing the Sun God and was cured of his illness. He has decided to dedicate his gratitude to Surya Bhagwan by constructing Surya Temple & worship in Konark. Lord Surya granted his wish, when he discovered statue of Lord Surya standing on a Lotus pedestal holding two lotuses in his both hands at Chandrabhaga at the time of bath. These Legends are embodied in Brahma Purana, Kapila Samhita, Madala Panji, Prachi Mahatmya, Bhavishya Purana and Samba Purana.
The day Samba was cured from skin diseases, observed as Samba dasami in Odisha at the period December – January ( Pousha Masa ) .
On the day of Samba Dashami, the women in the family wake before sunrise. After bathing they prepare dishes such as Khichdi, Oriya Puli, and Ghadghadia Tarkari (a curry), and offer them to the Sun God at sunrise. Each prepared food item is offered in the name of each family member. Once the food items have been offered to the Surya, the women prepare a set of cake-like dishes called Pitha, which include Manda Pitha, Kakara Pitha, Arisha Pitha, Biri Laddoo, Makar Chaula, Chhenaguda, Dhanu Muaan, Khiri, Rasagola, Jhilli, Chhenagaja, and Sweet Curd.
At noon, a bowl of turmeric water with betel in it is taken to ‘chaunra mula’ (a small temple-like structure with a Tulsi plant overhead). All the cooked food is served on plates. The women in the family view the Sun God through the bowl of turmeric water and offer all the dishes to the Sun God. They read the legend of ‘Samba Dasami Brata Katha’ and pray for the well-being of all family members.
In the evening, another Puja is observed as a part of the Samba Dasami ritual. This is ‘Mahakala Puja’, in which special Budha Chakuli is offered to Yama.
Folk names of food Items offer to Surya Dev ( Sun God ) like Ghadaghadia Tarkari, Raha Manda, Budha Chakuli ..
