Bhawanipatna, Sept 9: Preparations are in full swing across Kalahandi district for Nuakhai, the grand agricultural festival of western Odisha and a vibrant symbol of the region’s age-old cultural traditions. The festival, deeply rooted in centuries-old customs and rituals, is observed in the district in three distinct phases.
The auspicious time for offering the first harvest, or Navanna, to the presiding deity of Kalahandi, Maa Manikeswari, at the historic Manikeswari shrine in Bhawanipatna has been fixed for September 21, a Monday.
Kalahandi Maharaja Ananta Pratap Deo has finalised the Navanna Lagi schedule. According to the temple authorities, the first rice of the new harvest will be offered to Maa Manikeswari between 8:20 am and 9:30 am on Bhadrab Shukla Dashami, September 21. The general public will then observe Nuakhai between 10 am and noon, according to information issued by the Maharaja’s temple office.
Nuakhai in Kalahandi is traditionally celebrated in three phases. The celebrations begin from Bhadrab Shukla Pratipada and continue in different parts of the district until the Gir Govardhan Puja during Kartika.
The first phase will be observed on Bhadrab Shukla Panchami, September 15. Devotees at the shrine of Maa Lankeswari, the presiding deity of Junagarh, the Dadhivaman shrine and various village deity temples will offer Navanna, following which the public will celebrate Nuakhai.
The second phase, considered a major celebration in Kalahandi, will take place on Bhadrab Dashami, September 21. Besides the Manikeswari shrine in Bhawanipatna, the festival will be celebrated with traditional fervour in former princely and zamindari areas including Mahulpatan, Karlapat, Thuamul Rampur, Lanjigarh, Jayapatna and M. Rampur.
The third phase has its own distinct royal tradition. On the occasion of Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami, members of the Kalahandi royal family, former zamindars and their extended families observe Nuakhai as part of their longstanding customs.
Meanwhile, the festive spirit has gripped both rural and urban areas of Kalahandi. Families are busy cleaning and decorating their homes, while agricultural activities are nearing completion. Markets across the district are witnessing a surge in crowds as people shop for the festival.
Nuakhai is not merely a harvest festival but also an occasion to renew social bonds and strengthen the spirit of brotherhood. People traditionally set aside past differences, hardships and personal grievances to celebrate together.
As the festival approaches, people across Kalahandi are eagerly awaiting the auspicious occasion to offer the first produce of the season to Mother Earth and their presiding deities, seeking divine blessings for prosperity, peace and the well-being of the region in the coming year.
