Culture / Western Odisha Gears Up for Nuakhai – Check the Date and Auspicious Time Now!

Sambalpur, Sep 5: The auspicious timing for western Odisha’s grand harvest festival Nuakhai has been finalized. Scholars and priests at the Brahmapura Temple in Sambalpur announced that the ritual will be observed on September 15 (Tuesday), during Bhadra Shukla Panchami, between 9:40 AM and 9:54 AM.

During this period, the first offering of newly harvested rice, known as Nabanna, will be presented to the presiding deity Maa Samaleswari. Once the goddess receives the offering, families across western Odisha will partake in the sacred food together, marking the beginning of the celebrations.

Nuakhai, one of the most significant festivals of western Odisha, symbolizes gratitude to nature and the harvest.

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Traditionally, the first grains are cooked into khiri or bhog and offered to local deities such as Maa Samaleswari in Sambalpur or Maa Patneswari in Balangir. After the ritual, families gather to share the prasad, reinforcing bonds of unity.

The festival also includes the custom of Nuakhai Juhar, where younger members bow to elders for blessings, and communities exchange greetings, setting aside past differences. Cultural programmes featuring traditional dances like Dalkhai, Rasarkeli, and Sajani add vibrancy to the day.

Historically, Nuakhai traces its roots back to the Vedic period and continued through the Chauhan dynasty, reflecting the deep connection between people, agriculture, and the land. It remains a festival of renewal, harmony, and cultural pride for western Odisha.