I
n India the months and years are counted on
the basis of lunar or solar movements.
According to the solar system the month is
counted from 'Sankranti' to 'Sankranti' and in
lunar system it is counted from 'Purnima' (Fullmoon) to 'Purnima'. Maha Visuva Sankranti is the
first day of the month of 'Baisakh' as well as the
solar year. This is also called
"Jala Visuva
Sankranti" In northern India it is called "Jala Sankranti", in southern India "Sakkar
Pongal" and in Orissa it is known as "Pana Samkranti", named after 'Pana', the main drink
offering specially prepared on this occasion. In Orissa according to the rituals the Oriya
New Year is started from this day, which is widely popularly known as “Pana Sankanti”
LEGEND BEHIND VISUVA SANKRANTI
There are specific reasons as to why the Visuva Sankranti is considered as the first day of
the solar year. It is only on two occasions i.e. "Mesha Sankranti" and "Tula Sankranti"
that the Sun fully rests on the equator and on these two dates the length of days and
nights remain equal. After Mesha Sankranti the Sun moves in the northern direction to
our side as our country is situated to the north of the equator. It is, therefore, from this
day of first movement of the Sun from Mesha Sankranti that the New Year is counted.
All over the country this day is considered auspicious and is celebrated with social,
cultural and religious performances.
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THE TRADITION
In 'Bhabisya Purana', this festival has been mentioned
as Jala Samkranti. According to tradition when
'Bhishma', the grandfather of 'Kurus' or 'Kauravas'
and the 'Pandavas' lay on the bed of arrows ('Shara
Sajya') he felt thirsty and there was no water nearby
in the ravaged battle-field of 'Kurukshetra'. Then
'Arjuna' with his powerful bow thrusted an arrow deep into the ground and water
immediately came out in a stream to quench the thirst of the dying warrior. Out of
contentment and compassion Bhishma conferred to 'Yudhisthira', "Those people who
would offer cold water to thirsty people on this day would not only be free from all sins,
but also the departed souls of their ancestors as well as the Gods in heaven would be
pleased." This saying of the holy scripture is observed with great reverence and people all
over the country offer sweet-water to thirsty people as a religious rite.
MAIN RITUAL
In Orissa, this festival is observed with great sanctity
in various forms. On this day 'Chhatu' (grinded corn
powder), 'Pana' (sweet water), umbrellas, fans (made
out of palm-leaves or bamboo-strips) and 'Paduka'
(wooden slippers) are offered to Brahmins and the
poor people. All these are the remedies for the
scorching Sun. Water as the vital source of life
becomes more symbolical in another ritual of the
festival. Above the 'Tulasi' plant-, which is a must in every Hindu household of Orissa, a
shed is prepared with branches of green leaves and painted pitcher of smaller size filled
with water is suspended with a rope hanger. Beneath it a small piece of straw is fixed to a
hole in the pitcher through which water is drained drop by drop on the Tulasi plant. This
is called 'Basudhara' (the stream of the earth). Here, Tulasi plant symbolises the human
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life and it is to be saved from the scorching sun by resting in the shed and taking enough
water.
PLACES OF OBSERVANCE
This festival is observed widely in some form or other in the coastal areas, in some towns
and villages of other areas as a rigorous ritualistic observance. Deeply connected with the
mass religious culture of Orissa, a number of other festivals otherwise known as "Jhamu
Yatra", "Hingula Yatra" or "Patua Yatra", "Danda Yatra", "Uda Yatra" etc., which
originated as ritualistic observances of "Chaitra Parva" culminate in the Visuba Sankranti
and make a grand finale of the whole celebration.
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