Maha Vishuba Sankranti also known as Mesha Sankranti and Pana Sankranti and Odia New Year is being celebrated today across the State with religious fervour and gaiety.
Special arrangements have been made at several places to observe the auspicious Pana Sankranti with traditional fervour. Pana bhoga is being offered in every household on the occasion.
Pana Sankranti also marks the end of the 13-day Danda and Jhamu Yatra observed in Southern Odisha.
While famous Meru Jatra was observed at several places of Ganjam district, most of the places will observe the festival today. In Athagarh of Cuttack, Dhuli Danda and Jhamu Jatra will be held at Maa Kalikamana pitha to mark Meru Jatra.
Hanuman Jayanti, the birth of Hindu God Hanuman is also being celebrated across the State. Devotees have thronged temples to have darshan of Hanuman.
The district administration of Sambalpur has made elaborate arrangements for procession taken out on the occasion. In order to ensure peaceful procession and avoid any untoward incident, 30 platoons of police forces, 150 sub inspectors and ASIs, 32 inspectors, 11 DSPs and two additional SPs have been mobilised.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the people of Odisha on the occasion of Pana Sankranti and Odia New Year.
“May the new year be filled with abundance of happiness. May the spirit of brotherhood in our society be furthered and may everyone be in best health,” Modi wrote.
Odisha Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal extended greetings to the people of the State on the occasion and wished that the new year may be a year of happiness and prosperity for all.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik released a video message to wish the people of the State on the auspicious occasion. “May this year be a year of happiness, peace and prosperity for all,” he said.
BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda wrote, “On the auspicious occasion of #PanaSankranti, #RongaliBihu, #Vaisakhi, #Vishu, #Puthandu, #PoilaBoishakh, and many more festivals observed around the country, heartiest greetings and best wishes to all. May the new year bring everyone good health, happiness, & prosperity.”