Nuakhai Festival in Western Odisha Celebrates Harvest and Tradition

Nuakhai Festival in Western Odisha Celebrates Harvest and Tradition

The vibrant and age-old agrarian festival of Nuakhai is in full swing, bringing communities across western Odisha together in celebration. Today, as per tradition, the freshly harvested rice, known as Nabanna, was offered to the revered Goddess Samaleswari in Sambalpur.

Before the Nabanna offering, a ceremonial bath was performed for Maa Samaleshwari, and the goddess was adorned in a brand-new 'patta' or attire, setting the stage for a day filled with devotion and cultural significance.
The offering of the first harvested crop took place during the auspicious moment known as Lagna, which occurred on the fifth day of Bhadrab's bright fortnight, precisely between 10.27 am and 10.42 am. Following age-old traditions, the temple priests initiated the ceremony in the morning. Goddess Samaleswari was elegantly adorned with a new saree and precious ornaments. Thousands of devoted pilgrims flocked to the temple dedicated to the presiding deity of the region, seeking her blessings. The Samaleswari temple welcomed these devotees between 12.30 pm and 5.30 pm, as informed by Sanjaya Babu, the President of the Samaleswari Temple Trust Board.

 

Following the Nabanna offering, locals observe "Juhar Bhetghat," a heartwarming tradition where juniors pay their respects to seniors, culminating in warm embraces that symbolize respect and affection. Nuakhai is not just a festival; it's a cherished community event in western Odisha. It holds such importance that people living outside the state return to their hometowns to partake in the festivities. Western Odisha is home to a predominantly tribal population whose livelihoods hinge on agriculture. Thus, the Nuakhai festival, with its name meaning 'New Rice,' carries deep agricultural and cultural significance. Families come together to celebrate the first rice harvest of the season.

This festival isn't just about rejoicing in the new harvest; it's also about reinforcing social bonds and strengthening family ties. Nuakhai is celebrated one day after Ganesh Chaturthi and has been a part of the region's tradition since the 12th century AD. Chauvan Raja Ramai Deo of Patanagarh, now in Bolangir district, played a pivotal role in shifting the region's focus from hunting and gathering to agriculture, recognizing the economic importance of farming.

The festival preparations kick off two weeks prior to the main event, consisting of nine rituals starting from Behrana and leading up to Nuakhai itself, all culminating in the heartwarming Juhar Bhet tradition. The Nuakhai festival in western Odisha follows nine important stages:

1. Beheren : The start, where the date is decided.
2. Lagna Dekha: Fixing the exact celebration date.
3. Daka Haka: Sending out invitations.
4. Sapha Sutura and Lipa-Puchha: Cleaning and wearing fresh clothes.
5. Kina Bika: Buying and selling rice.
6. Nua Dhan Khuja: Harvesting the new rice.
7. Bali Paka: Offering rice to the deity.
8. Nuakhai: Sharing the first rice with family and celebrating.
9. Juhar Bhet: Seeking blessings from elders and exchanging gifts.

The Nuakhai festival not only celebrates the agricultural heritage of the region but also imparts valuable lessons to the younger generation about the significance of farming and the crucial role of farmers in the country's development.

Droupadi Murmu offered her warm greetings to everyone on the auspicious occasion of the Nuakhai festival. She described Nuakhai as a celebration of brotherhood and mutual harmony, extending her prayers for the happiness and prosperity of the nation's people.

In her message penned in X, Murmu conveyed her heartfelt wishes to all fellow citizens, with a special emphasis on the people of Odisha, on the joyous occasion of the Nuakhai agrarian festival. This festivity, marked by the celebration of the harvest, embodies the values of brotherhood and mutual harmony. On this auspicious day, her prayers extended to the well-being and prosperity of both the nation and its citizens.