Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today wished the people of the state on the occasion of Odia New Year, also celebrated as Maha Bisuba Sankranti.

Both took to micro-blogging site Twitter to convey their greetings.

Maha Bisuba Sankranti, also known as Pana Sankranti, is the beginning of the Odia New Year and marks the day when the new Odia almanac comes into effect.

People across the state today thronged various temples and offered prayers to the deities on the occasion, which is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman.

The advent of the New Year was celebrated by many by drinking 'pana', a sweet-sour drink made with fruit contents and sugar.

In Puri, traditional wrestlers came out of the Jaga Ghara, Akharas (training homes) and gymnasiums to showcase their wrestling skills after worship of Lord Hanuman.