Pana Sankranti or Maha Bishuba Sankranti, which was celebrated on Wednesday this year, marks the Odia New Year with the introduction of new Panjika, which is an almanac of Hindu religious festivals, timings and predictions for the year.
The Panjika is prepared as per the solar calendar and incorporates the auspicious dates, times, sunrise and sunset times, stars and their movements, etc., from Mesha Sankranti till Mina Sankranti.
People mark the advent of the New Year by drinking pana, a sweet-sour drink made with bael (wood apple), fruits and sugar. Devotees also perform special puja on the occasion, which is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman.
In Puri, traditional wrestlers come out of the Jaga Ghara, Akhadas (training homes) and gymnasiums to showcase their wrestling skills after a worship of Lord Hanuman.Devotees throng temples on the occasion and take baths in rivers or major pilgrimage centres.
