Bhubaneswar, Apr 14: Odisha is celebrating ‘Pana Sankranti’ or ‘Maha Bishuba Sankranti’, which also marks the beginning of Odia New Year, with religious fervour and gaiety today.
Devotees in large numbers thronged Lord Hanuman temples and Shakti peeths across the state to offer prayers and seek blessing on the auspicious occasion, which is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman.
Pana Sankranti, which falls on the first day of the traditional Hindu solar calendar month of Mesh, is significant in Odisha as it marks the beginning of Odia New Year. It signifies the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Aries.
Odia people celebrate Pana Sankranti by preparing a special delicious drink called ‘Bela Pana’ and distributing it among friends, family and relatives. It is traditionally prepared on this festival and is made of water, jaggery and wood apple (Bel) pulp, various spices and coconut.
On this day, a new ‘Panjika’, which is an almanac of Hindu religious festivals, timings and predictions for the year, is introduced.
The Panjika is crafted according to the solar calendar, encompassing auspicious dates, times, sunrise and sunset timings, as well as the movements of stars from Mesha Sankranti to Mina Sankranti.
During Pana Sankranti, a notable custom called ‘Basundhara Theki’ is practiced. This tradition entails placing a clay pot filled with ‘Pana’, featuring a small hole at the base, atop a sacred Tulsi plant.
