Nuakhai Festival In Western Odisha Is A Tribute To Nature

The traditional agrarian festival of Nuakhai is celebrated in Odisha with much splendor. People in the western part of the state celebrate and worship nature during the festival. Nuakhai is celebrating the oneness of nature and people.

The agrarian festival Nuakhai is of great significance for the agricultural community as the season’s newly harvested rice is welcomed with grand celebrations. Western Odisha districts like Bolangir, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Boudh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Sonepur, and Nuapada observe this festival with great pomp and show in a traditional set-up.

On the occasion of Nuakhai, villagers across Odisha worship agricultural land. Following this, the first grains of the newly harvested rice is collected and distributed in various households of the village.