Odisha celebrates Pana Sankranti (Odia New Year), Know the significance

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Bhubaneswar: Pana Sankranti, also known as ‘Maha Vishuba Sankranti,’ ‘Maha Sankranti,’ and ‘Mesha Sankranti’ is a festival that is widely celebrated across Odisha as the traditional New Year.

The significance of the day is that the new Odia calendar or Panjika is also introduced which is an almanac of Hindu festivals and contains the dates of festivals, auspicious days and timings, timings of sunrise and sunset along with horoscopes for the year.

Pana Sankranti is named after ‘Pana,’ the main fruit drink which is prepared in Odisha’s traditional culture. The festival enthusiasts enjoy the essence by having Pana with Chhatua, commonly called Bel Pana. It is a mixture of milk, spices, sugar, and fruit of Bel. Therefore, this sweet-sour drink is made from the pulp of the apple, Chhenaa (cottage cheese), and Nadia Kora (coconut gratings).

Traditionally, Pana Sankranti is believed to be the birthday of Lord Hanuman. The devotees also visit Devi temples on Pana Sankranti, including Taratarini Temple near Brahmapur in Ganjam, Cuttack Chandi, Biraja Temple, Samaleswari temple, and Sarala Temple.

In an interesting fact, the priests walk on hot coals during the fire-walking festival, Jhaamu Yatra at Sarala Temple.

At the Maa Patana Mangala Temple in Chhatrapada, Bhadrak, the Patua Yatra festival is held from 14 April to 21 April. In Northern Odisha, the festival is known as Chadak Parva. In Southern Odisha, the Meru Yatra festival is celebrated as the end of the month-long danda nata dance festival.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has wished the people of Odisha on his official Twitter account and wrote “My sincere congratulations and best wishes to all on the occasion of Holy Equinox and Oriya New Year. May this year be a year of happiness, peace, and prosperity for all, thanks to the grace of Lord Jagannath. Jai Jagannath. ”

1 Comment
  1. Debashree says

    Happy pana sankranti to all odias❤ And Nana (cooking my choosen happiness) I am so proud of you ❤❤

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