Odisha ushered in the Odia New Year today on a deeply spiritual note, celebrating the twin festivals of Maha Bishuba Sankranti—commonly known as Pana Sankranti—and Hanuman Jayanti with traditional fervour and cultural pride.
To mark the beginning of the new year, the fresh edition of the Odia Panjika (almanac), which dictates rituals and auspicious timings for the year, was officially introduced at the Jagannath Temple in Puri. Although the almanac had been ceremonially offered at the feet of Dola Govinda during Dola Purnima, it came into full effect today within the revered Srimandir premises.
Hanuman Jayanti Observed with Sacred Rituals
As part of Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, a series of traditional rituals were performed at the 12th-century Jagannath Temple. Following the Sakal Dhupa Niti (morning offerings to Lord Jagannath), Lord Hanuman was ceremonially brought from the southern corridor of the temple to the Ratna Simhasan (bejewelled throne) to receive the Agyanmala, a garland symbolising divine permission.
He was then carried in a Bimana (decorated palanquin) to the Jagannatha Vallabha Matha, where devotees performed Alati Bandapana, an offering of light and prayers.
In Akhadas (traditional martial arts monasteries) across Srikshetra, the birth of Lord Hanuman was observed with enthusiasm and reverence. Devotees offered Pana—a summer drink made of wood apple, jaggery, and curd—and Chhatua, a mix of roasted gram flour, as part of the holy offerings.
Pana Sankranti: Welcoming the Odia New Year
Pana Sankranti, which marks the Sun’s transition into Mesha Rashi (Aries), heralds the beginning of the Odia solar calendar. The day is celebrated not just as a celestial event but as a cultural cornerstone that connects Odias to their agricultural traditions and seasonal cycles.
Temples and homes across the state came alive with devotional chants and community gatherings. Special attention was given to Lord Hanuman temples, where devotees offered sweets, fruits, and chanted hymns throughout the day.
In Puri, thousands of pilgrims thronged Srimandir, eager to witness the rare convergence of two major festivals in a single day.
As Odias around the world marked the dawn of a new year, prayers were offered for peace, prosperity, and good health. The rest of the day remains filled with familial visits, festive meals, and spiritual observances.
