Keonjhar: The Odia New Year is observed as ‘Maha Bishuba Pana Sankranti’. On the occasion of New Year, thousands of devotees from all over the state thronged to the Tarini temple at Ghatagaon in this district to watch the Suna Besha (golden attire) ritual of the deity, Sunday. Devotees stood in line in front of the temple to offer puja and get a glimpse of the deity decked up in gold ornaments. They also observed the ‘Chaiti Parva’ ritual. The servitors distributed ‘pana’ a soft drink prepared by mixing various fruits, black pepper, grated paneer and curd, to all the devotees who visited the temple on the auspicious occasion. Officials of the temple management committee informed that rituals and puja started from 5.00 am Sunday.
Later the gates were opened for the devotees after completion of the rituals. The temple and local administration had made elaborate arrangements so that the devotees could appropriately celebrate the occasion. Special queues for elderly and physically challenged persons and women were also arranged. Coolers were installed at strategic locations to help devotees get respite from the blistering heat.
Police also made proper arrangements for seamless movement of traffic. Various cultural programmes were organised within the temple premises for the devotees. Officials informed that the programmes will continue for five more days. Cultural events like ‘Chhau dance’, Puppet shows and ‘Ghoda dance’ will be held. Devotional programmes like ‘Bhajan Samaraoh’ by eminent singers will also be held during this period. Earlier the festival at the temple was celebrated only on the first day of the Odia New Year. However, since 1937, it has been held over six days, officials informed.