According to legend, Samba, son of Lord Krishna, was afflicted by leprosy and was cured by the Sun God Surya after 12 years of penance near Konark.

After bathing they prepare dishes such as khichdi, Odia puri, and ghadghadia tarkari (a curry), and offer them to Surya at sunrise.

One of the specific characters of this ritual is variety of individual food item is offered to Sun God in the name of each member of the family, especially children.

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).

They read the legend of Samba Dasami Brata Katha and pray for the well-being of all family members.