Pana Sankranty

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Pana Sankranti or Maha Vishuva Sankranti, also known as Mesha-Sankranti is celebrated as the Odia New Year. The day marks the beginning of the New Year in the traditional Hindu Solar Calendar. On this day the sun enters the Mesha Rashi. It generally falls on 14/15 April. The spring season is at its zenith during this period, and the summer is approaching. The date is calculated as Maha Vishuva Sankranti is similar to the New Year festivals observed elsewhere in India such as Baisakhi in Punjab.There are specific reasons as to why the Vishuva Sankranti is considered as the first day of the solar year. On only two occasions around year, Mesha Sankramana and Toola Sankramana, the Sun fully rests on the equator. On these two dates, the length of days and nights are equal. But in case of a siderial zodiac, as used in Indian solar calendars, it has no connection with the equinoxes. Hence, the length of the Indian solar calendars is longer than the actual tropical solar year. The Odia solar month of Mesha starts from this day.On this particular day, a small pot filled with pana or a sweet drink is hung on a basil (Tulsi) plant. There is a hole at the bottom of this pot which allows the water to fall from the pot, representing rain. The flour of horse gram Chhatua, along with banana and curd, is consumed by the people of Odisha after offering it to the Tulsi plant. Special offerings are made to Lord Hanuman and other deities as it is also the Hanuman Jayanty. The Devi temples of Maa Tarini at Ghatgaon in my native district i.e Kendujhar, Maa Sharala & Maa Biraja temple become crowded. In Southern Odisha the day is celebrated as the end of month-long Danda Nacha and the final ceremony is known as Meru Yatra. People all over the state worship Hanuman on this day and celebrate it as his birthday. People enjoy chhatua & Bela Pana with great pleasure.My best wishes to my brothers and sisters across the state and the whole country as well. Late Maa Tarini and Lord Bajrangwali bring happiness to all throughout the New Year. Jay Hanuman.