On the occasion of Maha Visuva Sankranti, thousands of devotees on Sunday thronged the temple of Ramchandi at Ramnagar village of Mahakalapada block to have a darshan of the deity and also witness the Jhamu Yatra organised on the temple premises.
Tribal priests belonging to Roul caste walked on burning charcoal filled in a channel as a part of their penance observed for the deity.
It is believed that the blessings of the deity save the devotees from any mishap while walking on the burning charcoal. They wear picturesque costumes and dance bare footed over burning charcoals which is a part of the ritual during the festival.
As there is a belief that on the day of Maha Visuva Sankranti, whoever comes to the shelter of Goddess Ramchandi gets their wishes fulfilled, devotees in thousands from different localities visited the temple on the festival. Bisuva Sankranti is celebrated as the first day of the Odia calendar across the State. It marks the end of spring and beginning of summer.
The sun starts on its journey towards the northern hemisphere marking the onset of summer. Housewives celebrate the day by worshiping Basil (Tulsi) plant.
A special drink called pana, prepared from a mixture of bel fruit, yoghurt and paneer is offered to the God. A small pot with a hole in its bottom is filled with pana and hung atop a Tulsi plant.