Nuakhai: Why Nabanna offering timings differ from region to region, how it is decided

People of western Odisha are celebrating the auspicious Nuakhai today. The celebration begins with the offering of Nabanna, the season’s first harvest.

But, do you know there are different Nabanna timings for different parts of western Odisha?

The people of western Odisha rely on ancient traditions to determine the auspicious moment of Nuakhai, the agrarian festival of new harvest. 

While the entire state observes the festival on the same day, the exact timing of the Nabanna offering ritual, the first rice from the new crop, differs from region to region.

Reason of Nabanna Timing Differences

The reason lies in the deeply rooted faith that each area’s presiding deity decides the auspicious moment. 

In Bolangir, the timing is set in accordance with Maa Patneswari; in Sambalpur, it is Maa Samaleswari; in Sonepur, Maa Sureshwari; in Kalahandi, Maa Manikeswari; in Boudh, Maa Bhairavi; and in Nuapada, Maa Raktambari. 

The rituals are calculated based on the zodiac signs and constellations (rashi and nakshatra) linked to these deities.

What makes the practice even more unique is that despite the modern communication revolution, the tradition of sending letters remains intact. Royal priests (raj purohit) still dispatch written directives to village landlords (zamindars), headmen (gaonntia), and community leaders (kumura), who then call meetings to prepare for the festival. 

Also Read: Nuakhai Juhar! Western Odisha dips in devotion & celebration; check Nabanna timing

Traditional assemblies of pundits are convened to finalise the timing, and once decided, the news spreads not through smartphones but through the rhythmic drumbeats of the ‘dingura bala’.

The moment the drumbeats echo through the hamlets, villagers spring into action, organising special markets, arranging rituals, and preparing their homes for the auspicious Nabanna offering. 

Though technology has changed every aspect of modern life, Nuakhai continues to bind people to their roots, proving that faith and tradition remain timeless.