Cuttack, April 20: On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday performed the traditional 'Akhi Muthi Anukula' ritual at the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Bidyadharpur, marking the ceremonial beginning of the agricultural season.

The state-level Farmers’ Day was also observed at the venue, where the Chief Minister attended as the chief guest along with Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.

The programme began with soil worship and a homa yajna conducted in a devotional atmosphere. Following the rituals, Majhi tied a traditional head cloth (Pagdi) and symbolically sowed seeds in the field, initiating the farming activities for the season. He also held a plough as part of the customary agricultural rites associated with the festival, which holds special significance for farmers across the state.