Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday extended their Makar Sankranti greetings to everyone.
Taking to Twitter, Modi said, “Many congratulations to the countrymen on Makar Sankranti. My wish is that the Uttarayan Sun will infuse new energy and new enthusiasm in everyone’s life.”
देशवासियों को मकर संक्रांति की बहुत-बहुत बधाई। मेरी कामना है कि उत्तरायण सूर्यदेव सभी के जीवन में नई ऊर्जा और नए उत्साह का संचार करें।
Makar Sankranti greetings to everyone.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 14, 2021
Likewise, CM Naveen said, “Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to the people of the State on the holy occasion of Makar Sankranti. Celebrate the festival with due regard to the COVID guidelines. I pray to Lord Jagannath to bless all with happiness and prosperity.”
ପବିତ୍ର ମକର ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି ଉପଲକ୍ଷେ ରାଜ୍ୟବାସୀଙ୍କୁ ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ ଓ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା। କୋଭିଡ ନିୟମକୁ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ରଖି ମକର ଉତ୍ସବ ପାଳନ କରନ୍ତୁ। ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ସୁଖ ଓ ସମୃଦ୍ଧି କାମନା କରୁଛି। pic.twitter.com/VlzUQ0si56
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) January 14, 2021
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.