Bhubaneswar: Maha Vishuba Sankranti, which marks the beginning of Odia New Year, was celebrated across the state Sunday with pomp and gaiety.
People here thronged to temples to seek blessings for their wellbeing and for their near and dear ones on this occasion.
Braving the scorching heat, devotees queued up at different temples including the ones of Lord Hanuman as the day is also observed as the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman in this part of the nation. Special religious ceremonies were organised at many places to celebrate this.
Also known as Pana Sankranti, this day retains the age old tradition of distribution of homemade ‘Pana’- a traditional Odia beverage prepared with wood apple, fruits, sweets and sugar or molasses.
The significance of the day is that the new ‘Panjika’ — an almanac of Hindu festivals, auspicious and inauspicious dates and timings, timings of sun rise and sun set along with predictions for the year– is introduced.
Besides, this day marks the change in solar cycle. In many areas of the state, the ‘Meru Yatra’ festival is celebrated as it marks the end of the month-long ‘Danda Nata’ festival.
Further, in many places, a water-filled earthen pot with a small hole in it is placed just above the holy basil plant so that water keeps dripping on the plant through the hole. Known as ‘Basundhara Theki’, this is done with expectations that good rainfall will ensue. Another theory regarding this practice suggests that this is done to protect the plant — which is Holy to Hindus — from hash sun rays on this day.
PNN