Twin Celebrations Light Up Bhubaneswar: Hanuman Jayanti and Pana Sankranti Merge in Cultural Harmony; netizens share experiences

Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar, Odisha's temple city, is buzzing with festive energy as it simultaneously celebrates two significant festivals—Hanuman Jayanti and Pana Sankranti—creating a unique cultural confluence that highlights the state's rich heritage and religious diversity.

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Streets across the capital are adorned with saffron flags and colorful decorations as devotees of Lord Hanuman prepare elaborate processions marking the birth anniversary of the beloved deity. At the same time, households throughout the city are busy preparing traditional "pana" drinks from fruits, milk, and jaggery to welcome the Odia New Year through Pana Sankranti.

"These twin celebrations exemplify Odisha's cultural harmony," says Pranabandhu Kar, 72, a cultural historian and longtime resident of Old Town. "While Hanuman Jayanti represents our devotion to Ramayana traditions, Pana Sankranti connects us to our agricultural roots and solar calendar. The simultaneous observance shows how beautifully different religious and cultural streams converge in Bhubaneswar."

The 11th-century Lingaraj Temple complex, where Lord Hanuman is worshipped as Mahabir, has been decorated with marigold flowers and banana leaves. Thousands of devotees began queuing before dawn to offer prayers, carrying traditional offerings of red cloth, sindoor, and laddus.

At the centuries-old Hanuman Temple near Khandagiri, devotees performed the "Hanuman Chalisa" continuously for 24 hours, creating a rhythmic symphony that echoed through the surrounding hills. The temple administration organized free food distribution (prasad seva) expected to serve over 10,000 people throughout the day.

"Hanuman represents unwavering devotion and strength. In today's world, we need these qualities more than ever," explains Pandit Debashish Mishra, head priest at the Mukteswar Temple. "The recitation of Hanuman Chalisa collectively by thousands creates a spiritual energy that rejuvenates the entire city."

Meanwhile, the agricultural significance of Pana Sankranti (also called Maha Vishuba Sankranti) takes center stage in rural parts of the city and its outskirts, where farmers perform rituals seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest. The festival marks the sun's transition into Mesha Rashi (Aries), signifying the traditional solar new year.

"Pana is not just a drink but a symbol of hospitality and the sharing economy that once defined Odia society," says Sarojini Sahoo, 68, an author and expert on Odia traditions. "The different varieties—fruit pana, rice pana, and the special 'bela pana' made with wood apple—represent the diversity within our culinary heritage."

At Ekamra Haat, the city's cultural marketplace, authorities have organized a "Pana Utsav" featuring traditional drinks from different regions of Odisha. Visitors can sample over 15 varieties of pana while watching folk performances like Gotipua and Sambalpuri dances.

The municipal corporation has set up water distribution points across the city, offering free "sattu pana"—a cooling drink made from roasted gram flour, jaggery, and spices—to help residents combat the intensifying summer heat, which has already crossed 40°C.

A unique ritual observed during this period is the "Jhamu Yatra" in the Balianta area on the city's outskirts, where devotees walk on burning coal to demonstrate their devotion to Goddess Mangala. The ritual, performed under strict supervision, attracts thousands of spectators.

"This is perhaps the only place where fire-walking continues as an unbroken tradition for at least five centuries," notes Dr. Ramachandra Behera, anthropologist and researcher at Utkal University. "These practices connect modern Bhubaneswar with its pre-colonial cultural identity."

The city administration has made special arrangements for the celebrations, deploying additional police forces around major temples and procession routes. Traffic diversions have been implemented in Old Town and Khandagiri areas to accommodate the increasing crowds.

"We're expecting over 100,000 visitors just for Hanuman Jayanti processions," says a senior police official. "Our focus is on ensuring crowd management while preserving the spiritual atmosphere of these celebrations."

For younger generations, these festivals provide a connection to their cultural roots. Several schools and colleges have organized cultural programs highlighting the significance of these traditions.

"Growing up in Bhubaneswar means experiencing this beautiful synthesis of different cultural streams," says Ananya Pattnaik, a 20-year-old student at Utkal University. "The way we celebrate Hanuman Jayanti with devotion and Pana Sankranti with joy shows how religion and culture complement each other in Odia society."

As evening approaches, thousands will gather at the Mukteswar-Sidheswar temple complex for a traditional "Havisya" feast, where only sattvic food prepared without onion and garlic is served. The celebration will conclude with aarti ceremonies across temples and community centers, bringing together people from all walks of life in a display of faith and cultural pride.