Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today wished the people of the state on the occasion of Odia New Year.

"On the occasion of this Odia New Year, I extend my heartfelt greetings and wish prosperity and happiness to the beloved people of Odisha," the President tweeted.

"Happy Maha Bishuba Pana Sankranti and Odia New Year. Have a healthy and happy year ahead," the PM said in his tweet.

"May the immense grace of Lord Jagannath bring new opportunities and possibilities for everyone in this New Year," tweeted CM Patnaik.

Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik sculpted a sand art of Lord Hanuman on the occasion at the Puri beach to greet people.

тАШPana SankrantiтАЩ or тАШMaha Bishuba SankrantiтАЩ marks the Odia New Year with the introduction of new┬аPanjika, which is an almanac of Hindu religious festivals, timings and predictions for the year.

The┬аPanjika┬аis prepared as per solar calendar and incorporates the auspicious dates, times, sunrise and sunset time, stars and their movements etc. from Mesha Sankranti till Mina Sankranti.

People mark the advent of the New Year by drinking┬аpana, a sweet-sour drink made with┬аbael┬а(wood apple), fruits and sugar.

Devotees also perform special puja on the occasion, which is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman.