A day of diverse significance, April 14 gave a reason for celebrations, festivities and religious
penance across the state, in different forms. It kick started the New Year of many communities,
while gods and goddesses were invoked in versatile ways

ORIYA NEW YEAR

People in various cities and villages in the state ushered the Oriya New Year on Thursday with revelry and enthusiasm that grew as the day progressed. People were seen relishing the traditional Pana in groups. The beverage was prepared in the authentic way by local clubs and associations who were distributing it to passers-by.

The auspicious occasion of Maha Bishubha Sankranti was also observed with religious gatherings, cultural programmes and mass feasts to celebrate Lord Hanuman’s birthday.

In Bhubaneswar, a rally by a group of female Paika warriors, the traditional warrior community of the state, from the Talcher Women's College, was held from Master Canteen to Rabindra Mandap, where a cultural outfit had made arrangements for Pana distribution.

Priests began the reference to the Oriya almanac after certain holy rituals. Temples held special prayers. Other communities also observed festivities on the occasion.

DANDA NATA

The rhythm of the drums, cymbals and conch shells that reverberated in the air for last 21 days for Danda Nata in entire Ganjam district culminated today on Maha Bishub Sankranti with a crescendo of religious fervour on Thursday (April 14).

Danda — the dance to pay obeisance to Maa Kali — brought Ganjam alive for almost three weeks. Groups of people danced barefoot on the streets undeterred by the scorching heat.

Danda as the name implies, is self-inflicted punishment, which the Danduas undergo to pay their obeisance to Maa Kali. The Danduas undergo a lot of pain and hardship to appease the Goddess, who, they believe, would fulfil their desires. Some people also do it to show their gratitude to the Goddesses for having fulfilled their desires, pre-ordained vows or manasikas.

On Pana Sankranti day when the Danda Nata culminates with the performance of Meru Danda, the Danduas in their self-inflicted punishment suffer unbelievable torture.

Yet there isn’t even an iota of fear, as devotees seem to be transported into a different world where pain and suffering do not matter. What matters is devotion.

It is thus that they roll on a hot ground where ordinary mortals would dread to put their feet. The deities are then believed to be mollified.

BAISAKHI

Baisakhi was observed today with pomp and grandeur in the city Gurudwara. More than 200 Sikh families attended the festivities.

“For the last 48 hours, we had organised akhandapatha of the Guru Granth Sahib, which concluded this morning. The bhajan and kirtan are going on. We organised a langar (free meal) for nearly 2,000 people from all walks of life.

Besides Sikhs, people from Oriya, Marwari and other communities also attended the free meal,” said member of the organising committee, Satpal Singh.

A platter of Punjab delicacies such as roti, dal makhani, choley ki sabji, jalebi and laddu were served on the occasion.

Singh said: “The meals are served free. People have voluntarily donated money and many items for the purpose. Many were involved in cooking as well as cleaning of utensils, voluntarily.”

Devotees throng the Jagannath temple in Puri on the occasion of Maha Bishubha Sankranti (Oriya New Year) on Thursday. People from all parts of the state visited the temple to seek blessings of Lord Jagannath and His divine siblings on the auspicious day. Picture by Sarat Patra

POILA BAISAKH

Festivities for the Bengali New Year that falls on Friday began on Thursday itself with cultural events and food festivals marking the celebrations.

Many hotels in the city offered Bengali delicacies like sorse bata maach, alu potoler kalia, sandesh, misti doi and so on.

Devotees throng the Jagannath temple in Puri on the occasion of Maha Bishubha Sankranti (Oriya New Year) on Thursday. People from all parts of the state visited the temple to seek blessings of Lord Jagannath and His divine siblings on the auspicious day. Picture by Sarat Patra