Massive 2-foot paan to be offered to lord Jagannath at Puri Srimandir on Makar Sankranti

The sacred festival of Makar Sankranti is being celebrated across the country, including Odisha, on Wednesday, marking an important transition in the Hindu calendar.

Major temples across Odisha have witnessed increased activity, with special rituals underway at the Puri Srimandir. As part of the celebrations, Makar rice, brought by Maa Lakshmi from the Srimandir, is set to be offered to the presiding deity.

As part of traditional rituals, a largest paan will be offered to Lord Jagannath at the 12th century shrine, and preparations for the offering are underway.

Somnath Panda, Hadapanayak Sevayat said, "Three to four of us will be engaged in washing and preparing the paan (betel leaves), elaichi and other required ingredients. The preparation of coconut items will be done by the women and these will be taken directly inside the temple by the Hadapanayak." 

He further added that all the activities will be carried out in a systematic manner, as per tradition, and every ritual will be followed accordingly.

"Each paan is approximately 1.5 to 2 feet in height. The preparation process is elaborate and demanding, taking nearly three to four hours to complete. The paan is carefully infused with all the essential ingredients and then wrapped and preserved in banana leaves," he described.

"Later, the prepared paan are stacked together and shaped into a single large offering, which is presented to Lord Jagannath during the sacred Paan Bedha ritual."

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Pandit Padmanabha Tripathy said, "This is the largest paan in the entire world, measuring more than two feet in height. It is ceremoniously taken inside the temple and offered to Lord Jagannath after the completion of all other prescribed offerings."

He added that a special ‘Arnabali’ is also offered to the deity on this auspicious day.

Several important rituals are being performed today in observance of the sacred occasion of Makar Sankranti, following age-old traditions and customs.