Bhubaneswar: Western Odisha is in a celebratory mode. It is Nuakhai time and people are home to add fervour to the agrarian festivities.
Navanna (season’s first crop) Lagi ritual was performed near Maa Samaleswari between 10.05 am and 10.20 am on Tuesday. Following which, devotee offered prayers at the temple. This ritual is also performed at popular Peethas of western Odisha like Pataneswari, Lankeswari and Sureswari.
At homes, the household deity was offered the first rice cooked with milk and sugar, which was then consumed by the family members. Apart from cooking the new crop, several delicacies are prepared on this special day.
It generally falls during the months of August and September, a day after Ganesh Chatturthi.
Nuakhai is said to be associated with nine primary colours which in turn are assigned to nine different rituals.
‘Nuakhai Juhar’ is another ritual associated with the festival. It is about exchanging greetings with relatives, friends and well wishers.
Meanwhile, several social and cultural organisations are busy organising another ritual, ‘Nuakhai Bhet Ghat’, where people meet and greet each other.
The agrarian festival observed to welcome the new rice of the season is being celebrated in Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Kalahandi, Balangir, Bargarh, Subarnapur, Deogarh, Jharsuguda and Boudh. The preparations for the rituals begin 15 days in advance.
It is also celebrated in the neighbouring state of Jharkhand.
The festival dates all the way back to the Vedic ages with the first records of its existence in the 12th century when a certain Raja Ramai Deo saw agriculture as an important entity in maintaining the cohesiveness of a society.
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