Bhawanipatna, Sept 13: People of Kalahandi district are celebrating the region's major agrarian festival Nuakhai with pomp and grandeur marking the arrival of the new rice harvest.
Every house in the Gadajat area has worn a festive look, which includes Bhawanipatna, Lanjigarh, Madanpur Rampur, Thuamul Rampur, and Jayapatana, with Prasad made from newly-harvested paddy being offered to Manikeswari at 9.05 AM. Following the ritual, hundreds of devotees made a beeline for the darshan of the Goddess.
The Nuakhai celebration in Kalahandi is different from those in other parts of western Odisha. At the Manikeswari Temple, the festival is observed according to the specific rituals associated with the deity, rather than following the auspicious time (lagna) determined by Pandits in other regions of western Odisha.
In Kalahandi, this agrarian festival is celebrated at the Manikeswari Temple on Bhadrab Shukla Dasami.
Nuakhai, a Sambalpuri festival, is deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of the region, which is home to a large tribal population. Agriculture forms the backbone of the local economy, and this is reflected in the essence of Nuakhai. The name itself, derived from the words 'Nua' (new) and 'Khai' (eating), symbolises the consumption of the season’s first harvest.
Nuakhai is not just a celebration of the harvest but also a time to strengthen familial bonds. People come together as families to partake in the first rice of the season, offered to the deities before being shared with loved ones. Nuakhai Juhar, the tradition of exchanging gifts and seeking blessings from elders, further cements the sense of unity and fraternity. The festival also marks a time to leave behind past conflicts, symbolising fresh beginnings and harmonious relationships.
In the evening, families and communities gather to seek blessings, share greetings, and enjoy traditional folk performances, including songs, dances, and dramas that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Western Odisha.
