Bhubaneswar, Aug 28: Several leaders including Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Educaton Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday greeted the people on the occasion of 'Nuakhai', an agrarian festival mostly celebrated in the western parts of Odisha.

Taking to the Twitter handle, CM Majhi extended heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of the state and expressed hope that this festival brings happiness, peace, and prosperity into everyone's lives.

Pradhan also took to Twitter extended heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all the people of our state.

"Nuakhai speaks of the progress and prosperity of our farmers and agriculture. Alongside, it also highlights the importance of food security for all. On this sacred occasion of our grand festival, I pray before Maa Samaleswari and Lord Jagannath for happiness, prosperity, and progress for everyone,” the Minister tweeted.

Nuakhai is an agrarian festival where the first crop of the field is offered to the goddess in the western districts of Odisha and people seek the blessings of elders in each household.

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The word Nuakhai comes from nua (new) and khai (food), literally meaning “eating the new harvest.”

It is a celebration of the season’s first rice crop, offered to the presiding deity—most commonly Maa Samaleswari—as a gesture of gratitude.