People in western Odisha plunged into festive mood with the most important agrarian and social festival Nuakhai beginning on Thursday. This year, the festival is being celebrated with pomp and grandeur.
As per the rituals, Nabanna (porridge prepared from new paddy crop) was offered to the Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of western Odisha between 10.56 am to 11.10 am. Subsequently, Nabanna was offered to other deities and people will have food prepared from new crop.
The excitement is high among the people as they will celebrate the festival after a gap of two year due to Covid-19 situation. Unprecedented rush was witnessed at bus stands in Bhubaneswar with people leaving for their homes in western Odisha to celebrate the mass festival.
President Droupadi Murmu, who hails from Odisha, extended wishes to the people of western Odisha on the occasion. She wished that the festival may bring love and harmony and prosperity to all.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted the people of the State on the occasion, “Nuakhai Juhar! Best wishes to everyone on this special day. This is an occasion to express gratitude to our hardworking farmers for their exemplary work in feeding our nation. May our society scale new heights of progress and may everyone be happy as well as healthy,” Modi tweeted.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also wished the people of the State on the occasion.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released a video and wished everyone on the occasion.
BJP national vice-president Baijayant Jay Panda also extended greetings on the occasion and prayed for happiness, peace and prosperity of all.