The Beginning of the Oriya New Year
The Beginning of the Oriya New Year
In the Hindu calendar there are lots of festivals according to our religious beliefs. The beginning of the English New Year is observed with much enthusiasm and fanfare. The beginning of the Oriya New Year is also an occasion of joy and celebration.
Mahabishuba Sankranti, is celebrated as the Oriya New Year. This calendar starts with the day when rays of then Sun being to straighten towards the Northern hemisphere and more precisely towards India. According to the Punjikaras (Makers of the calender), the Sun moves toe the zone of Aries.
On this day, religious people offer delicious “Pana�? - (a sweet drink made of different types of fruits, water, milk, bela, curd and sugar or jaggery) is offered to the Tulsi Plant, Lord Shiva and their deities in various Temples of the state. People also drink this “Pana�? with great enjoyment and fervor. During the festival you will find water pots placed on the roadsides to help the thirsty souls. Water is as also offered to animals and birds with equal enthusiasm. This Sankraniti is also known as Pana Sankranit to Jala Sankranti.
This other fact of the day is celebration of Hanuman Jayanti (Lord Hanuman’s Birth Anniversary). Lord Hanuman-who is believed to be the son of the Wind God and disciple of the Sun, is worshipped to provide protection from the fierce heat and winds of summer.
Mahabishuda Sankranti is also singnificant for Jhamu Yatra and this month long festival comes to an end. Patuas (those who observe it) keep fast and wander to various places to preach the religious significance the festival of the Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Goddess Mangala.
On the concluding day, these Patuas discipline their senses for more Penance and walk on fire and throns to concentrate on spirituality for the dignity and property of life. Jhamu Yatra has special significance in Banki, Jajpur, and Talcher as thousands of devotees gather to offer prayers to Goddess Charchika, Biraja and Hingual respectively.
Another important feature of this Sankranti is Danda Nacha - a cultural show. It begins 21 or 13 days before Mahabishuda Sankranit. On this day Danduas worship Goddess Kali. The perform Pani Danda, Dhuli Danda and Agni Danda. Each group consists of 30 to 800 Danduas headed by the Patta Dandua or Bhakta.
The Patta Danduat confines himself to the temple of Goddess Kali during the 21 day period and come out on Mahabishuva Sankranti after the last rituals were performed by the group. According to legend Kings who built Temples, imposed additional taxes on the public. The ones, who were unable to pay, were forced to walk barefoot and sand and then water during summer. The subjects prayed to Goddess Kali, who listened to their cries of help.
Antother story is set in Satya Yuga Lord Shiva annoyed his father-in-law Dakishya Prajapati for not inviting him to a Yajna and later decided to perform tapsaya to atone for his Sin. However, some Youths disturbed his tapasya. Before the angry Shiva could curse then they begged pardon. From that day Danduas wear saffron colored clothes and stay away from their families while worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. They take food only once a day. This Danda nacha also imparts the lessons of Penance and discipline.
