International Jaya Shree Jagannath Day celebrated on the occasion of Pana Sankranti
Puri: 14/04/2025 (Saswat TV) Lord Jagannath is the Lord of countless universes. He is the presiding deity of Odisha and a symbol of pride for all Odias. The thoughts and consciousness associated with Lord Jagannath have inspired people globally. Under the divine direction of Lord Jagannath, and with the guidance of key organizers like Chief Coordinator of Chhatisaniyoga Shri Janardan Pattajoshi Mohapatra, Shri Madhusudan Singhari, Shri Neelamani Guru, and Chief Secretary of the Shri Jagannath Seva and Samman Trust Shri Diganta Dev, the 3rd International “Jaya Shree Jagannath Divas” was celebrated grandly and vibrantly at the Town Hall in Puri. This event coincided with Hanuman Jayanti, Maha Vishuba Sankranti, Odia New Year, and Pana Sankranti.
It is a firm belief that Lord Jagannath is incomplete without Goddess Mahalakshmi, just as we are incomplete without Lord Jagannath. While we commonly chant “Jaya Jagannath,” this day was organized to encourage people to say “Jaya Shree Jagannath” instead. Many devotees and Jagannath lovers participated in the program. The event was anchored by Dr. Swagatika Mahanti, Head of the Odia Department at Sri Sadashiva University.
In the opening session, Dr. Chakradhar Kara of Sri Sadashiva University recited Vedic chants. The ceremonial lamp was lit by Shri Soumendra Muduli, Pandit Shri Prabhat Ranjan Mahapatra, Shri Neelamani Guru, Shri Pradeep Tripathy, Shri Samarendra Rautray, and Shri Gaur Mahapatra. Other notable participants included Advisor to Muduli Sevayat Shri Soumendra Muduli, Paika Nijoga Editor Neelamani Guru, former Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath Sanskrit University Shri Harihar Hota, and former Head of Vedanta Department Shri Prabhat Ranjan Mahapatra. Many scholars and Jagannath culture enthusiasts expressed their devotion and shared their insights on how Jagannath culture continues to influence the world. They emphasized that even the most complex global problems could be resolved through the teachings and philosophy of Lord Jagannath.
On the occasion of Pana Sankranti, traditional pana (a special Odia drink) was distributed among attendees. After the midday prasad (sacred food) distribution, the second session was initiated for children under the theme “Known and Unknown Aspects of Lord Jagannath.” It was moderated by Shri Chandravijayee Mishra. All the participants took part enthusiastically and received awards.In the third session, the animated film “Jaya Jagannath” prepared by Eli Animation, Bhubaneswar, was screened.
On this auspicious occasion, Trust official Shri Adhyayan Mahapatra arranged for food prasad distribution for all devotees. Shri Padmalocan Mahapatra supervised a blood donation camp. Trust members Shri Jayashree Tripathy and Shri Pallabi Mahapatra oversaw a free health camp conducted by expert doctors from SUM Hospital, where patients received health checkups and free medicine distribution.
In the concluding session held in the evening, there was chanting of 108 names of Lord Jagannath. Following this, the distinguished international dance guru Padma Shri Durga Charan Ranbir was honored with the first-ever “Shree Khandua Bhakta” award. Other honorees under “Sevak Shri Samman” included Mahaprabhu’s pujapanda sevak Surya Narayan Pujapanda, renowned social reformer and yoga guru Gopal Das, senior journalist of OTV Shri Madhusudan Mishra, and police administrator Yogesh Swain.
The final session guests included senior sevak Neelamani Guru, eminent educationist Surendra Nath Das, renowned scholar Harihar Hota, senior administrator Madhusudan Mishra, and Mahant Parshuram Das. The event was coordinated by Abhinandan Das. At the end, chief sevak of the Shri Jagannath Seva and Samman Trust Shri Pradeep Tripathy offered his heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.
