Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik extended his Makar Sankranti greetings to the people of the State on Friday.
“My heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the people of the state on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. I pray near Lord Jagannath for the happiness and prosperity of all,” tweeted Patnaik.
ପବିତ୍ର ମକର ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି ଅବସରରେ ରାଜ୍ୟବାସୀଙ୍କୁ ମୋର ଆନ୍ତରିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଓ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ। ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କର ସୁଖ ଓ ସମୃଦ୍ଧି କାମନା କରୁଛି। pic.twitter.com/eF4Fgxezqd
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) January 14, 2022
Makara Sankranti is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to the deity Surya (sun). The festival is celebrated with various names in different states across the country.
In Odisha, during Makar Sankranti, people prepare Makara Chaula, special pujas are performed at shrines such as the Puri Jagannath temple, and people worship the Sun God. Many individuals at the start of the day perform a ritual bath while fasting.
However, the State Government has issued restrictions on the celebration of Makar Sankranti and Pongal in the State this year in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
People have been advised to perform the rituals or puja on the occasion at home with family members only avoiding mass gatherings and adhering to the Covid-19 safety protocols.
