Western Odisha Celebrates Nuakhai: An Agrarian Festival of Gratitude and Prosperity

Nuakhai, an agrarian festival from Western Odisha, celebrates the first crop of the season. Prominent leaders, including President Murmu and PM Modi, extended their wishes, emphasizing gratitude to farmers. The day features rituals, new clothes, and offerings to deities. Since 1991, the festival is celebrated uniformly across the state.

Western Odisha burst into celebrations on Sunday with Nuakhai, an agrarian festival marking the first crop offering to deities. Top leaders including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended their greetings to the people.

Nuakhai holds cultural significance as families wear new clothes, offer their harvest to deities, and enjoy a feast together. President Murmu, emphasizing the festival's importance, wished for prosperity and happiness in everyone's life.

From Sambalpur to Kalahandi, special rituals were performed with great enthusiasm. Thousands gathered at Maa Samaleswari temple to offer new rice. Since 1991, the festival dates have been unified across different regions.

(With inputs from agencies.)