Puri, Jan 15: Odisha is celebrating Makar Sankranti in a big way with people visiting Shiva and temples of other gods and goddesses and offering 'Makar Chaula' to them.

As per religious practice, people in Odisha take a bath early in the morning and visit nearby Shiva and Grama Devati temples. They offer 'Makar Chaula', which is prepared from water-soaked rice, jaggery, cheese, coconut paste, sugarcane pieces, and pepper to the deities.

Thereafter, they relish the Makar Chaula, a special bhog offered to deities on Makar Sankranti, which falls once a year. 

Special rituals, called Makar Niti, are being conducted in the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on this auspicious Makara Sankranti day. The deities are offered 'Makar Chaula' bhog on this day. Lord Jagannath and His siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra give Darshan in special attire, called 'Makarchaurasi' to devotees today. They wear special garlands of flowers and tulsi, prepared by the Bada Odia Matha. 

The day is also significant for two more events- Making friends and kite-flying. 

On this auspicious day, girls and boys make friends with same-sex guys and this friend-making ritual is called 'Makar'.

Similarly, children and youths enjoy kite-flying on this day.  Kite-flying competitions are also held in some places. 

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