This year the mega festival of western Odisha ‘Nuakhai’ will be observed on September 15 in Sambalpur district of Odisha. A release has been issued in this connection in Sambalpur district of Odisha confirmed the dates.
The lagna has been finalised as per the finding of the Maa Samaleswari temple. The auspicious date has been fixed in the Brahmapura Trust Pandit Council.
As per reports, the ‘lagna’ of Nuakhai has been issued keeping in view the tradition and practice of the Patna state. Nuakhai will be celebrated on September 15 that is the fifth day of the ‘sukla’ bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Bhadraba. The nabanna will be offered to the Devi between 9:40 am and 9:54 am.
‘Nuakhai’ or Nabanna festival is celebrated to welcome the new paddy crop every year. On this auspicious day, farmers offer new grain to the deity to welcome the new crop. After eating the new rice offered to the God, in the afternoon people enjoy themselves by dancing and playing games etc.
As a significant feature of the festival, younger members seek blessings from their elders in the family as well as the village for good fortune this is called ‘Nuakhai Juhar’. People also greet each other with a new spirit in a ritual called ‘Nuakhai Bhet’ in local parlance on this day.
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