Berhampur: Ganjam district witnessed grand Meru festival and Hanuman Jayanti on Monday, coinciding with Maha Visubha Sankranti. The Meru festival, which concluded the traditional 13-day Danda Nata folk dance festival, saw the “pata dandua” (main performer) walking on fire with drums beating in the background. In some areas, the Danda Nata celebrations were extended to 21 days.
Devotees across all castes observed the auspicious day by offering “pana”, a sweet drink made from water, fruits, curd, milk, and sugar or jaggery, to deities. Various organizations distributed “pana” and food to the public.
The birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman was celebrated with great fervour, with devotees thronging temples from early in the morning to chant the Hanuman Chalisa. SP (Berhampur) Saravana Vivek M said adequate security arrangements have been made to prevent any untoward incidents during the festivities.
Literary organizations organised cultural programmes. The Naveen Sahitya Anusthan hosted its Visubha Milan, while the Kalinga Sahitya Samaj organised poetry recitations and meetings. “We welcomed the Odia New Year by reciting poems and felicitating eminent personalities,” said Rabi Rath, secretary of the anusthan.