Balangir, Aug 7: The auspicious ‘Lagna’ for Nuakhai 2026, the prominent harvest festival of western Odisha, has reportedly been finalised by the Raj Purohit at Shailashree Palace in Balangir.

According to reports, the Nuakhai Lagna has been determined after considering the Rashi and Nakshatra of Maa Patneswari, Maa Samaleswari and the King of Patana in Balangir. The festival’s rituals are traditionally observed according to the prescribed auspicious timing.

Nuakhai is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrab month as per the Hindu calendar. This year, the festival will be observed on September 15.

As per the reported schedule, the auspicious time for Nabanna Arpana, the offering of the newly harvested crop to revered Goddess Maa Patneswari, has been fixed between 9:36 AM and 10:06 AM.

The announcement of the Lagna marks the beginning of preparations for one of western Odisha’s most significant cultural and agricultural festivals, when people come together to offer the season’s first harvest and celebrate prosperity and community traditions.