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Pana Sankranti is the Odia new year that falls on the first day of the lunar month of Baisakha or the first day of the solar month of Mesha. Odia calendar, also known as Odia Panji follows the lunar cycle, hence Pana Sankranti falls on 13-14 April without any fail. Pana Sankranti is also called Maha Vishubha Sankranti. It is also said that this day marks the onset of the ensuing summer season. The day holds a lot of significance for the Odia people.
A few days before Sankranti, the tulsi plant is washed properly and Chuna(lime) is applied to it. On the day of Sankranti, people wake up even before sunrise and take a dip in a nearby pond or river called "Sankranti Buda". They offer prayers to the sun and while standing in knee-deep water, chant the Gayatri mantra. People living in cities who have no access to rivers or ponds, just take a bath before sunrise and skip the Sankranti Buda. People wear new or fresh clothes and start preparing for Sankranti Puja.
The Sankranti is named as "Pana Sankranti '' after "Bela Pana"( Aegle marmelos) also called wood apple. Inside a small earthen pot, Chatua(sattu) mixed with water is poured. A hole is made at the bottom of the pot so that the mixture can drop, drip by drip. This is said to represent the rainy season. The earthen pot which is hung is called "Theki''. It is hung as such for a month. Every day water is refilled in it. On the next Sankranti, i.e. Brusa Sankranti, theki is taken off. Chatua and mashed banana are offered to God and are consumed by all the members of the family. Most people keep a fast called osha in odia on this day. People make vegetarian dishes made without onion and garlic and enjoy them with family. Dishes like bhata, dalma, khata, rasa, poori, kheeri are served on this auspicious day.
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But the main focus of this day is the Bela pana. The Bela pulp is extracted and mashed with chena, banana, curd, sugar, and black pepper. People of all age groups enjoy this drink. Bela pana has several health benefits and is widely recommended in summers. Bela keeps the blood sugar level in control and is enriched with vitamins A, B1, B2, C, minerals, calcium, potassium and iron. Bela helps to treat several diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, ulcer, digestive problems, and cholera.
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There is a legend associated with the day. The day is also called "Jala Sankranti". Jala is the odia word for water. It is believed that when Bhisma was lying on the bed of arrows for eighteen days, he was very thirsty and was waiting for the sun to leave. Because of lack of water on the battlefield, Arjun shot his arrow into the ground and water flowed out. Bhisma blessed the Pandavas and proclaimed that henceforth, on this day who would offer water to thirsty will not only be cleared of their sins but also of their forefathers. Therefore Pana is available in abundance on this day and at few places, people distribute pana free of cost.
On Pana Sankranti, Danda yatra or Jhamu yatra is arranged. People walk on a pathway of hot coal with a belief that due to God's blessings, their feet won't burn. Tribal communities celebrate Meru yatra on this day, wherein they pierce their back with iron nails. These yatras are an act of penance and are believed to give one control over one body, mind and speech. As Pana Sankranti marks the end of an old year and the beginning of a new year, people pray to God so that their year would be full of happiness and joy.
ପଣାସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତିଏବଂନୁତନବର୍ଷରଅନେକଶୁଭକାମନା।
Indian Legion wishes every Odia a very happy Pana Sankranti and a happy new year.
