Description
The Spirit of Nuakhai Festival
Nuakhai is one of the most important harvest festivals of Western Odisha, celebrated with deep devotion and joy. The word Nuakhai comes from two Odia words – Nua meaning “new” and Khai meaning “food.” Together, it signifies the practice of offering the season’s first grains of rice to Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur, before consuming them. This festival is not just about food; it is about gratitude, community bonding, and celebrating the connection between farmers, land, and culture.
Every year, Nuakhai is celebrated on the Panchami tithi of Bhadraba (August–September), just after Ganesh Chaturthi. On this day, people wear new clothes, prepare traditional food, and visit their families and relatives to seek blessings. The rituals start with offering the newly harvested rice to the goddess, followed by feasts, cultural programs, and traditional dances.
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