Puri, April 14:The auspicious occasion of Maha Vishuba Sankranti, also known as Pana Sankranti, is being celebrated across Odisha with religious fervour and traditional zeal on Tuesday. The day also coincides with Hanuman Jayanti, drawing large gatherings of devotees to Hanuman temples where special prayers and recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa are being held.

In Puri, the festival holds special significance. At various traditional akhadas, where Lord Hanuman is worshipped as the presiding deity, celebrations are being held with great enthusiasm. Wrestlers and youth engaged in physical training have marked the day by commencing their annual wrestling and exercise routines.

Adding to the spiritual importance, special offerings of pana and chhatua are being made at Shrikshetra as part of the rituals.

The day also marks the beginning of the Odia New Year, with the new Odia almanac (Panji) coming into effect. The Panji, which had been ceremonially offered to the deities during Dola Purnima, will now guide all religious rituals, temple practices, and social functions throughout the year.

From today, the daily rituals of the deities and various auspicious events will be conducted as per the dates and timings prescribed in the new Panji.

Meanwhile, traditional rituals like Jhamu Yatra are being observed at various shrines. Devotees are seen performing acts of penance, including walking on fire and body piercing, as part of fulfilling their vows.