Angul: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today performed the ceremonial ‘Akhi Muthi Anukula’ at a state-level farmers' fair near Nakchi village in Angul.
Patnaik ploughed a field, sowed paddy seeds and prayed to Mother Earth for a good harvest as per the rituals that marks the agrarian festival Akshaya Tritiya.
“I am very happy to be in Angul district to celebrate Akshaya Tritiya. I wish all the farmers of our State a very good harvest this year,” said Patnaik after the ceremony.
Similar rituals were performed by BJP state unit president Basant Panda who along with his supporters and farmers performed Akhi Muthi Anukul at Banki in Cuttack district.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan also performed the ceremony at Kusumati in Khurda district.
Akshaya Tritiya, is considered as tremendously fortunate and sacred popular festival which carries good luck and triumph in terms of new schemes, weddings, big investments such as buying property or gold and any new beginning.
The occasion also marks the beginning of Chandan Yatra in Puri. During the 21-day ‘Chandan Yatra’, deity Madan Mohan, along with Sridevi, Bhudevi, and the Panch Mahadevs will take a trip on a ‘chapa’ (traditional boat) around Narendra tank.
Construction of three chariots for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra for annual Rath Yatra in July also commenced today.