Odia Culture / Dharmendra Pradhan Celebrates Nuakhai in Sambalpur; Partakes in Nabanna Ceremony at BJP District President's Residence

Sambalpur, Sep 15: Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan celebrated Nuakhai in Sambalpur by partaking in the ‘Nabanna’ ceremony at the residence of BJP district president Ramachandra Meher on the occasion of the harvest festival.

Pradhan joined Meher’s family to partake in the newly harvested rice and expressed gratitude for their affection and hospitality.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan described Nuakhai as a unique festival that represents Odisha’s culture, unity, harmony and respect for elders.

Also Read: Western Odisha Celebrates Nuakhai with Devotion and Unity

Pradhan Extends Nuakhai Greetings
“Nuakhai Juhar! This festival conveys the message of living together with goodwill. On this auspicious day, I pray to Maa Samaleswari for everyone’s happiness, prosperity, and well-being,” Pradhan said in a social media post earlier in the day.

ନୂଆଁଖାଇ ଜୁହାର୍ 🙏

ନୂଆଁଖାଇ ହେଉଛି ଏକତା, ସୌହାର୍ଦ୍ଦ୍ୟ ଓ ସଦ୍ଭାବନାର ପର୍ବ । ନବାନ୍ନ ସେବନ, ବନ୍ଧୁମିଳନ ଓ ଗୁରୁଜନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ସମ୍ମାନର ପର୍ବ । ଏହି ପର୍ବ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ମିଳିମିଶି କରି ରହିବାର ମହତ ବାର୍ତ୍ତା ଦେଉଛି । ଆଜିର ଏହି ମହାନ ଅବସରରେ ମା’ ସମଲେଶ୍ୱରୀଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ସୁଖ, ସମୃଦ୍ଧି ଓ ମଙ୍ଗଳ କାମନା କରୁଛି । pic.twitter.com/1rF7ihQBs9

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 15, 2026

He also conveyed his greetings to the people on the occasion and prayed to Maa Samaleswari for their happiness, peace and prosperity.

Pradhan said coming together and sharing Nabanna is one of the distinctive features of Nuakhai, which carries a message of togetherness and goodwill.

Nuakhai Rooted In Western Odisha’s Harvest Tradition
Nuakhai is Western Odisha’s major harvest festival and is deeply rooted in agrarian traditions. The festival is observed on Bhadrapada Panchami, the day after Ganesh Chaturthi.

On the occasion, newly harvested rice is first offered to deities before families partake in the sacred food together.

The festival is also observed in parts of neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, including Simdega, reflecting the shared cultural traditions of the region.

Nuakhai is marked by community gatherings, traditional customs and expressions of gratitude for the year’s harvest.