Bhubaneswar, Apr 14: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted the people of Odisha on the occasion of ‘Odia New Year’ and ‘Maha Bishuba Sankranti’.

“On the occasion of Pana Sankranti, I extend my heartiest congratulations to the people of Odisha and those living abroad. Pana Sankranti or Maha Bishuba Sankranti is celebrated with joy across Odisha. I wish the dear brothers and sisters of Odisha a happy and prosperous Odia New Year, a symbol of cultural richness. and I pray for the prosperity of the people of the state,”President Murmu posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

ପବିତ୍ର ପଣା ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି ଅବସରରେ ମୁଁ ଓଡ଼ିଶାବାସୀ ତଥା ଦେଶବିଦେଶରେ ରହୁଥିବା ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାଇଭଉଣୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ ଜଣାଉଛି ।
ପଣାସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି ବା ମହାବିଷୁବ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ପୁରପଲ୍ଲୀରେ ଆନନ୍ଦ-ଉଲ୍ଲାସରେ ପାଳିତ ହେଉଅଛି । ରାଜ୍ୟର କୋଣ ଅନୁକୋଣରେ ପଣାପାଣି ଓ ନୃତ୍ୟସଙ୍ଗୀତର ଆସର ସାଙ୍ଗକୁ ସାରସ୍ୱତ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମ…

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 14, 2024

PM Modi also took to social media to wish the people of Odisha on Odia New Year and Maha Bishuba Pana Sankranti.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Best wishes on Maha Bishuba Pana Sankranti and Odia New Year. We take great pride in the wonderful Odia culture. I pray that the year ahead is full of happiness and success. May all your dreams be fulfilled as well and may everyone be healthy.”

ଏହି ମହା ବିଷୁବ ପଣା ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସୁଖ, ସମୃଦ୍ଧି ଆଣିଦେଉ l pic.twitter.com/k8lMAsJsUK

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2024

Marking the celebration of the Maha Bishuba Sankranti, special rituals are held at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. The newly-prepared almanac is read before the sibling deities of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath.

The people observe fast and offer new clothes, ‘pana’ (sweet water) to the deities at different temples. The pana is prepared by mixing water, jaggery, yoghurt and spices having cooling properties.

The day is also observed as the birthday of Lord Hanuman.

The people also observe Jhamu Jatra. The people observing Jhamu are called ‘Patua’ or holy devotees. They end the ritual on the day by walking barefoot on burning charcoal as a part of their penance and to express gratitude to the goddess for having fulfilled their wishes.

The Maha Bishuba Sankranti is observed in different names in various regions of the state, while it is called ‘Chadak Parva’ in North Odisha, the same is called ‘Danda Nata’ in the southern region of the State.

Read More Odisha News