Maha Bisuba Pana Sankranti 2023: In India’s eastern state of Odisha, Maha Vishuba Sankranti is celebrated as the New Year and is also known as Mesha Sankranti and Pana Sankranti. The date of Maha Vishuba Sankranti in 2023 is April 14, per the government calendar of Odisha. The day is also celebrated as Hanuman Jayanthi, or Hanuman’s birthday. (only in Odisha). This day signifies the start of the New Year according to the traditional Oriya Solar Calendar. The summer season also begins at this time.
The significance of Maha Vishuba Sankranti:
The calculation of the New Year in Odisha is founded on the solar system of calendar calculation. Today, the Sun transits Mesha Rashi or Aires. Vishuba signifies Equator, and the Sun is currently located above the Equator.
This day is also known as Meru Sankranti, Mesha Sankranti, and Maha Vishuba Sankranti, as it marks the commencement of the Mesha solar month. This day signifies the beginning of the summer season.
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Pana Sankranti:
The highlight of the day is the preparation of “Pana,” a delicious drink made from fruits, milk, yogurt, etc.
People use a small container containing “pana” or a sweet drink made from Mishri, and they hang water from a basil (Tulsi) plant. This pot has a hole in the bottom that enables water to fall out of the pot, representing rain.
How is the celebration of Maha Vishuba Sankranti conducted:
- People rise early and bathe (Sankranti buda) in rivers, ponds, lakes, or the ocean. The devotees then worship Lord Surya while knee-deep in water. The Gayatri Mantra is recited.
- Some individuals perform Yajnas and give alms.
- Numerous individuals make it a point to visit a nearby temple.
- Some individuals observe a daytime fast.
- The unique beverage Pana is served on this day. It is composed of Bilva (wood apple or bela) puree, grated coconut, and cottage cheese. The beverage contains ginger and black pepper.
- Odiasians ingest the flour of horse gramme chhatua, along with banana and curd, after offering it to the Tulsi plant.
- On this day, pithas, or desserts, are prepared and shared.
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Special Tulsi Puja and Rituals
The tulsi plant in the home’s courtyard is provided a canopy of leaves. This modest shed will shield the plant from the approaching summer.
Over the tulsi plant is suspended a small earthen pitcher with a hole at the bottom. The earthen receptacle is refilled daily until the end of summer.
Other Holidays and Customs:
There are no significant festivities on this day. Temples perform special rituals and pujas.
Some regions organise cultural programs, including literary meetings.
People visit various temples and perform special petitions and rituals. In some regions of Odisha, Maha Vishuba Sankranti also symbolises the end of temple festivals.
On this day, special pujas are performed at the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri, and the new Oriya almanack goes into effect.
On this day, the Meru Yatra is observed by the tribes. As a form of penance, devotees pierce their bodies with sharp objects and walk on heated coal.
The Chaiti festival of the fishing community concludes:
On Pana Sankranti, the Danda and Jhamu Yatra observed in southern Odisha concludes. A fortnight prior to Sankranti, these celebrations typically commence on April 1 or April 2. The primary ritual involves walking through a bed of burning coals as penance.
