Ella Walter
Pana Sankranti, also known as Maha Vishuba Sankranti, is a significant festival that marks the traditional New Year for the Odia people in the Indian state of Odisha. Falling on April 14 every year, it is a time for celebration, reflection, and community bonding. The festival is deeply rooted in agrarian and religious traditions, symbolizing renewal, prosperity, and the special bond between humans, nature, and the divine. It coincides with similar regional new year festivals across India, such as Baisakhi in Punjab and Pohela Boishakh in Bengal. The word Pana refers to a sweet and refreshing drink made from fruits, jaggery, water, yogurt, and basil seeds, which is shared among the community and offered to deities and guests as a symbol of goodwill and hospitality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 13/14 April every year |
| Location | Odisha, India |
| People | Hindus |
| Activities | Visiting temples, taking baths in rivers, participating in fairs, traditional dances and acrobatic performances, feasts, drinking pana, fire-walking, charitable acts, Boita Bandana |
| Symbolism | Renewal, prosperity, reflection, community bonding, resilience, gratitude, connection between humans, nature and the divine |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare and share the drink Pana
Pana Sankranti is a vibrant festival that marks the beginning of the Odia new year. It is celebrated with grandeur and enthusiasm, especially in the rural areas of Odisha, India. The festival holds great significance in the culture and tradition of Odisha and is a time for renewal, new beginnings, and community bonding.
An essential part of Pana Sankranti is the preparation and sharing of the sweet drink called "Pana". This drink is believed to have been created by Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity of the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri. According to folklore, Lord Jagannath created the Pana drink as a remedy for the scorching summer heat. The drink is considered to have cooling properties and is made with natural ingredients.
To prepare Pana, you will need the following ingredients:
- Wood apple (Bela)
- Grated coconut
- Cottage cheese (chhena)
- Banana
- Black pepper
- Jaggery or sugar
- Water
- Break the wood apple and scoop out the pulp into a bowl.
- Add water to the pulp and strain the mixture to remove the seeds and fibers.
- In the strained pulp, add grated coconut, chhena, mashed banana, jaggery or sugar, and a pinch of black pepper.
- Mix everything well and adjust the water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Serve the drink chilled, optionally with ice cubes.
The Pana drink is shared among friends, family, and neighbours as a symbol of unity and togetherness. It is believed that the sweetness of Pana brings happiness and prosperity to those who consume it. People also offer Pana to the Tulasi plant as Prasad, a gesture to quench the thirst of their loved ones in the intense heat of Odisha.
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Visit temples and offer prayers
Pana Sankranti, also known as Maha Vishuba Sankranti, is a significant festival celebrated in the Indian state of Odisha. It marks the traditional new year for Odia people and is steeped in cultural and religious traditions.
On this day, devotees visit temples to offer prayers and seek blessings from the gods. Here are some ways to celebrate Pana Sankranti by visiting temples and offering prayers:
- Visit Shiva, Shakti, or Hanuman Temples: People often visit temples dedicated to Shiva, Shakti, or Hanuman. For example, the Taratarini Temple near Brahmapur, Odisha, is a popular destination, with thousands gathering at the Shakti Pitha shrine.
- Offerings and Pujas: Special pujas and rituals are conducted in temples dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Shiva, and other deities. People offer prayers and seek blessings.
- Rituals near Sacred Trees and Water Bodies: In some regions, people perform rituals near sacred trees and water bodies, such as rivers or pilgrimage centres, where they take purifying baths.
- Temple Festivals: During Pana Sankranti, certain temples hold special festivals. For example, the Sarala Temple hosts the fire-walking festival, Jhaamu Yatra, where priests walk on hot coals. The Patua Yatra festival is celebrated at the Maa Patana Mangala Temple in Chhatrapada, Bhadrak, from April 14 to 21.
- Temple in Northern and Southern Odisha: In Northern Odisha, the festival is known as Chadak Parva, while in Southern Odisha, the Meru Yatra festival marks the end of the month-long danda nata dance festival.
- Offerings of Pana: "Pana" is a traditional sweet drink made from fruit, jaggery, water, yogurt, and basil seeds. It is offered to deities in temples as a symbol of goodwill, health, and hospitality.
By visiting temples, offering prayers, and participating in special rituals and festivals, devotees seek blessings, connect with their cultural and religious traditions, and celebrate the new year during Pana Sankranti.
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Participate in fairs and cultural programs
Participating in fairs and cultural programs is a significant part of Pana Sankranti, a time for community bonding and celebration. Here are some ways to join in:
Mela (Fairs)
Pana Sankranti is celebrated with grand fairs, known as "Mela", which are held across the state of Odisha. These fairs are a great way to experience the local culture and traditions. You can expect to find various stalls selling traditional handicrafts, artwork, and delicious Odia cuisine. There may also be games and entertainment, such as folk music and dance performances, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Traditional Dances and Performances
Pana Sankranti is marked by vibrant traditional dances and performances. One notable dance is the "Danda Nacha" or "Danda nata", performed by a group of men called "Danduas" or "Ghantapatuas". This ancient art form involves acrobatic feats and rhythmic movements, often accompanied by folk music. The dancers may even walk or run over hot charcoals, symbolizing liberation from physical pain. Other performances to look out for include fire-walking rituals, where volunteers sprint over burning coal to the cheer of songs and music.
Cultural Programs
Cultural programs play a vital role in Pana Sankranti celebrations. These programs showcase the rich cultural heritage of Odisha through music, dance, and theatre performances. They are usually organized by community groups, schools, or cultural institutions. Attending these programs will give you a deeper understanding of Odia traditions and talents.
Community Feasts
Pana Sankranti is a time for community feasts and sharing special drinks. The most notable drink is "Pana," a traditional chilled beverage made from fruit, jaggery, water, and sometimes coconut milk or wood apple. It is believed to have a sweet and refreshing taste, perfect for warding off the summer heat. People come together to prepare and share this drink, symbolizing goodwill, health, and hospitality. The feasts may also include various Odia delicacies, with families and communities gathering to celebrate and bond.
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Perform rituals and charitable acts
Pana Sankranti, also known as Maha Vishuba Sankranti, is a significant festival celebrated in the Indian state of Odisha. It marks the traditional Odia New Year and is steeped in cultural and religious traditions. On this day, people perform various rituals and engage in charitable acts to embody the spirit of the festival.
Rituals and Worship
On Pana Sankranti, devotees visit temples dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Shiva, Shakti, Devi, and other deities to offer prayers and seek blessings. Special pujas and rituals are conducted in these temples. People also perform rituals near sacred trees and water bodies. One notable ritual is the Danda Nacha, a traditional dance performed by a group of men called "Danduas". It is a form of worship and a demonstration of physical endurance, often involving acrobatic feats and rhythmic movements.
Another ritual is the Boita Bandana, performed in coastal regions, where miniature boats made of banana tree bark or cork are floated in rivers and ponds. This ritual pays tribute to the ancient maritime traditions of Odisha. The festival also features traditional male folk artistes called "Ghantapatuas," who perform ""Jhama nata" in groups of two or four, wearing dresses resembling women's clothing.
The opening ritual of Pana Sankranti begins in the middle of Chaitra (March–April) with the Danda Nata performance. The Danduas take a dip in a village pond and walk or run over hot charcoals, symbolizing liberation from physical pain. They also perform Jala Danda by dipping themselves in deep water afterward. The social celebrations culminate in a fire-walking ritual, where volunteers sprint over burning coal to the cheer of music and songs.
Charitable Acts
On Pana Sankranti, people engage in charitable acts by distributing food, clothes, and other essentials to those in need. This practice stems from the belief that helping others brings divine blessings and prosperity. The festival fosters a sense of unity and collective well-being, making it an integral part of Odia culture.
Pana Sankranti is a time for reflection, renewal, and community bonding. It embodies the cultural richness and spiritual depth of Odisha, with families coming together to prepare the traditional Pana drink, perform rituals, and engage in charitable acts.
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Celebrate with family and community
Pana Sankranti, also known as Maha Vishuba Sankranti, is a significant festival celebrated in the Indian state of Odisha. It is a time for family and community bonding, with various rituals and traditions that are performed together. Here are some ways to celebrate Pana Sankranti with your family and community:
Temple Visits and Religious Rituals
Hindus visit temples dedicated to deities such as Devi, Lord Jagannath, Lord Shiva, and Hanuman. Special pujas and rituals are conducted in these temples, where devotees offer prayers and seek blessings. Some people also perform rituals near sacred trees and water bodies.
Traditional Dances and Performances
Pana Sankranti features traditional dances and performances, such as the Danda Nacha or Danda nata, performed by a group of men called "Danduas" or "Ghantapatuas." This dance involves acrobatic feats and rhythmic movements, symbolizing physical endurance and worship. It is one of the most ancient performance art forms in the region.
Charitable Acts and Community Feasts
On Pana Sankranti, people engage in charitable acts by distributing food, clothes, and other essentials to those in need. This practice stems from the belief that helping others brings divine blessings and prosperity. Community feasts are also organized, bringing people together in joyous celebration.
Cultural Programs and Music
To amplify the festivities, cultural programs, music, and other performances are arranged. These events showcase the rich culture and heritage of Odisha, fostering a sense of community and unity among participants.
Preparation of Pana, the Traditional Drink
Pana is a sweet and refreshing drink made from fruits, jaggery, water, and sometimes yogurt and basil seeds. It is traditionally prepared and shared among family and community members, symbolizing goodwill, health, and hospitality. The word "Pana" also refers to the onset of the summer season and the need to stay hydrated.
Boita Bandana in Coastal Regions
In coastal areas of Odisha, a ritual called Boita Bandana is performed. Miniature boats made from banana tree bark or cork are floated in rivers and ponds, paying tribute to the ancient maritime traditions of the region.
Mela (Fairs) and Fire-Walking
Communities come together to participate in mela, or fairs, during Pana Sankranti. These fairs often feature traditional dances, acrobatic performances, and even fire-walking rituals like Jhaamu Yatra, where participants sprint over a bed of burning coal to the cheer of music and songs.
Pana Sankranti is a time for families and communities to come together, celebrate their roots, and foster unity and collective well-being. These celebrations reinforce the cultural and spiritual depth of Odisha, making the festival a cherished and integral part of Odia heritage and pride.
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Frequently asked questions
Pana Sankranti, also known as Maha Bishuba Sankranti, is the traditional new year day festival of Odia people in Odisha, India. It is celebrated on the first day of the solar Odia calendar, which falls on 13 or 14 April every year.
Pana Sankranti is celebrated with visits to temples dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Shiva, Shakti, Devi, or Hanuman. People also take baths in rivers or major pilgrimage centers and participate in fairs (melā) and traditional dances or acrobatic performances. A special drink called pana, made from fruit, jaggery, and water, is shared among the community.
Pana Sankranti is a time of renewal and prosperity, symbolizing the cultural richness and spiritual depth of Odisha. It is believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu, in his incarnation as Varaha (the boar), rescued the Earth from the demon Hiranyaksha. The festival also coincides with the solar transit into the Mesha (Aries) Rashi, making it astrologically significant.
