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Sambalpur: Even as devotees are barred from visiting temples in view of COVID-19 pandemic, festivities gripped western districts of the State on Sunday as people geared up for a low-key celebration of Nuakhai, the agrarian festival of western Odisha.
Complying with the COVID-19 restrictions, all the arrangements have reached final stage to preserve the age-old tradition amid the pandemic.
In view of the situation, the Samaleswari Temple Trust has decided to telecast the ‘Nabanna Lagi’ ritual live on social media today. The ritual marks the beginning of the agrarian festival of Nuakhai in western Odisha.
As per the ‘lagna’, the ‘Nabanna’ or newly harvested rice will be offered to Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of the district between 9.35 AM and 9.50 AM today.
Unlike every year, Nuakhai will be celebrated without devotees. All the rituals of Goddess Samaleswari will be performed without devotees' participation.
As per the traditions of the annual fest, the head of the family worships the presiding deity and offers new rice, peetha, kheer and other delicacies. The Prasad is then distributed among the family members, who then consume the new food grain together.
The festival also bears significance among the farming community as they perform puja on their farmland to thank ‘Mother Earth’ for being so bountiful.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda wished people on the occasion of Nuakhai.
The special occasion of Nuakhai is about celebrating the hardwork of our farmers. It is due to their efforts that our nation is fed.
May this auspicious day bring prosperity and good health for everyone.
Nuakhai Juhar!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 23, 2020
ନୂଆଁଖାଇ ଜୁହାର୍ 🙏
କୃଷିଭିତ୍ତିକ ଗଣପର୍ବ ନୂଆଁଖାଇର ଶୁଭକାମନା । ଏହି ଅବସରରେ ମା' ସମଲେଇଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ସୁଖ, ଶାନ୍ତି ଓ ସମୃଦ୍ଧି କାମନା କରୁଛି। #NuakhaiJuhar pic.twitter.com/DhCaFokZ6N
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 23, 2020
ନୂଆଁଖାଇ ଜୁହାର୍ #NuakhaiJuhar#Nuakhai greetings & best wishes to all. This auspicious occasion is the biggest annual festival of western Odisha, celebrated to welcome the season's new rice. May Maa Samaleswari bless everyone with peace, prosperity and happiness🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/5d1NhEW4Ex
— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) August 23, 2020
(Edited By Pradeep Singh)
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Nuakhai ‘Nabanna Lagi’ Ritual To Be Streamed Live On Social Media