Bhubaneswar, April 7: The BJD has planned a week-long programme to mark the Odia New Year or Mahabishubha Sankranti that falls on April 14.

The build up for the big day that has become symbolic of Odia identity would begin from April 8 with the culture department chalking out a calendar of events to highlight state's lingual, artistic and literary tradition.

Culture minister Ashok Panda said that the event would seek to underscore the importance and uniqueness of the Odia language, music and art with an emphasis on the pride that the people of the state take in their culture.

While Paika rebellion would once again be in focus like it was on Utkal Divas, three books on the Odia language and creation of Odisha as an independent state would be released on April 14. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik would be the chief guest at the programme.

The BJP, which is going to hold its national executive here on April 15 and 16, is yet to chalk out its programmes for Mahabishubha Sankranti.

RSS sah prant pracharak Srushtidhar Biswal said the day would be celebrated as Mahavir jayanati and Pana sankranti with programmes lauding the greatness of Lord Hanuman to be held in temples.

Besides, Odias would enjoy the pana, a traditional Odia drink with a religious significance on the day.

State co-ordinator of Vishva Hindu Parishad Pramod Das said his organisation, too, had similar plans.

"The focus would be on organising Hanuman Chalisa and Ramayan recitals at Hanuman temples. Then people will enjoy prasad," he said.

State BJP president Basant Panda said the party was yet to chalk out any programmes to mark the day.

"We have not thought about it as yet," he said.

The party had observed Utkal Divas on April 1 in a big way to rival the celebrations organised by the state government. Union minister for agriculture Radhamohan Singh and Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan had attended more than half a dozen programmes in Bhubaneswar on the occasion while chief minister Naveen Patnaik had deputed 18 of his ministers to different districts to ensure the success of government programmes.

The rivalry between the two parties is likely to continue with the BJP national executive due to meet here in the middle of the month with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the deliberations.