Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Since Pana Sankranti ushers in the Odia New Year, it is a very important occasion. The Odia community of Odisha, India celebrates Pana Sankranti, also called Maha Bishuba Sankranti, as their customary New Year’s holiday. The ceremony takes place on the first day of the lunar month of Baisakha, which in the Odia solar calendar corresponds to the first day of the ancient solar month of Meṣa. On this auspicious day in Odisha, people prepare and share a sweet drink known as “pana,” especially in rural areas. The devotion of Lord Jagannath, who is credited with creating the pana drink, is another aspect of the celebrations. The festival’s vibrant celebrations wonderfully depict Odisha’s rich cultural legacy. It is a time of rebirth, new beginnings, and community.
The celebration of Pana Sankranti, which marks the start of a new agricultural cycle, has been observed for generations and is thought to have its origins in the traditional farming methods of the area. Legend has it that the Pana drink was invented by Lord Jagannath, the chief deity of the well-known Jagannath Temple in Puri, to cool off during the intense summer heat. It is thought that this blend of yoghurt, water, jaggery, and spices will chill you off. The pana drink, a staple of the celebration, is shared by neighbours, family, and friends as a sign of harmony and companionship.
Pana Sankranti holds great significance in the Indian state of Odisha’s culture and customs. Celebrated on the first day of the Hindu solar calendar, the occasion marks the beginning of the new agricultural year. It is also thought to bring in the arrival of summer and is celebrated with pana, a cool sweet beverage.
During the festival, which is a time of rebirth and fresh starts, it is customary for people to clean their homes, put on new clothes, and give prayers to Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity of the well-known Jagannath Temple in Puri. As people gather to take part in folk dances and enjoy the Pana drink, the event also highlights the importance of collaboration and community spirit.
As the birthday of the venerated Hindu deity Hanuman, who is renowned for his everlasting devotion to Lord Rama, Pana Sankranti holds great significance in the Odia Hindu religion. On this auspicious occasion, people worship Hanuman, Shiva, and Surya in their temples. In addition, devotees go to temples honouring Goddess Devi, like Taratarini Temple and Sarala Temple, which host unique ceremonies like Patua Yatra and fire-walking festivals.
The month-long celebrations culminate in several local festivals celebrated throughout Odisha, including Meru Yatra and Chadak Parva. The new Odia calendar, or Panjika, which acts as a calendar of Hindu holidays and auspicious events for the year, is also introduced on this day. In celebration of the occasion, people from all over the state consume Bela Pana, a festive sweet drink prepared with milk, bel fruit, and spices. Additionally, there is a tradition called Basundhara Theki, in which water is ceremoniously poured upon a sacred basil plant from an earthen pot.
