Recitation of poems,
cultural programmes and other activities besides distribution of 'pana' (sweet water) marked the onset of Odia Naba Barsha today.
Hanuman temples in the town were crowded with devotees as the day was also As the day also marked the birth of Lord Hanuman.
Considering the day, also known as Pana Shankranti, as highly auspicious, people offered pana.
"We are distributing pana among people, considering the work on the day as most auspicious," a local said.
Various literary organisations in the city like Nabina Sahitya Anusthan and Kalinga Sahitya Samaj celebrated the occasion by conducting recitation of poems.
"We are celebrating the day with the literary activities for last several years. The Year welcomed by wishing happiness," Nabina Sahitya Anusthana secretary Rabi Rath said.
Another important feature of the day was the end of 13 or 21-day long Danda Nata, the famous and popular folk dance of Ganjam district.
Adequate security arrangements were made for the celebrations where the Telugu-speaking people, a sizeable population in the town, also joined with the Odias in the celebrations.
