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The people of Odisha's Kalahandi will mark Nuakhai on Tuesday after the newly harvested rice, known as Nabanna, is ceremonially offered to Goddess Maa Manikeswari. Observed every year on the Panchami Tithi of Bhadrava month, the festival holds a sacred place in western Odisha, where it symbolises gratitude for the first crop of the season.
As per the schedule, the auspicious window for the offering was set between 8:45 a.m. and 9:05 a.m. After the new harvest was ceremonially presented to the deity, devotees received Nua Chuda (flattened rice) prepared from the fresh grain as temple prasada. Families will then observe the tradition of sharing the season’s first meal at home, prepared from the newly harvested rice, between 10:55 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Households throughout the region are in their final preparations for the occasion, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to celebrate this cherished tradition.
Also Read: Nuakhai: A celebration of nature, farming, and community bonds
While Western Odisha marked Nuakhai in late August, Kalahandi district follows its own unique tradition. Unlike other regions, the festival here is observed at different times between Bhadrapada Shukla Pratipada and Dashahara Dashami Tithi, reflecting a distinct cultural practice that continues with devotion.
Family and Community Gatherings
Before partaking of the new grain, households uphold the custom of offering Nabanna to deities, seeking blessings for prosperity and well-being. After the ritual, families gather for special meals prepared from the fresh rice, and the day also witnesses community feasts and cultural expressions. Relatives visit each other, reinforcing family ties and social harmony, which are central to the festival’s spirit.
A defining aspect of the celebration is Nuakhai Juhar, where younger members of society pay respects to elders, while elders bless them with goodwill and prosperity.
A Festival of Gratitude
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Nuakhai is seen as a festival of thankfulness to nature, deities, and elders, marking the deep connection between agriculture and culture in western Odisha. While rooted in ritual, it also carries forward a collective identity that continues to thrive across generations.
