The Odia New Year and the birthday of the Mahavir Hanuman were celebrated in this pilgrim city in a traditional style on Sunday.
The temple astrologer read out the beginning of the new almanac before lord Jagannath with forecast of the major events like quantum of rains, natural calamities and marriage and other auspicious dates of the year.
Odias conduct their social and religious occasions with the guidance of the almanac while the farmers read the status of rain and drought situations as predicted in the almanac and plan their crops. Mahavir Hanuman’s birthday was celebrated at all Hanuman temples across the city. A grand Mela was held at the Siddhamahavir Temple.
Special Pana (healthy drink) blended with bhang was offered to the lord in schools of martial arts (Jagaghars) of the city while the devotes took Prasad.