Bhubaneswar, August 16: The sacred timing for Nuakhai, the most significant agrarian festival of Western Odisha, has been officially announced. This year, the ‘Nabanna Lagna’ will be observed on August 28, 2025, between 10:33 AM and 10:55 AM. During this period, devotees will offer the season’s first harvest of rice, known as ‘Nabanna’, to Goddess Samaleswari, the revered deity of Sambalpur.
The decision was taken by the Brahmamandap Pandit Mahasabha on the occasion of Nandotsav, a day after Janmastami.
Observed on the Panchami tithi of the Odia month Bhadrab, Nuakhai symbolizes togetherness, gratitude, and blessings. Families gather to mark the occasion through rituals, music, and cultural expressions. A special highlight of the celebration is the ‘Nuakhai Juhar’, a gesture of respect where people seek blessings from elders and greet neighbours, reinforcing harmony and forgiveness.
Beyond rituals, Nuakhai is a celebration of Western Odisha’s cultural richness. From traditional Sambalpuri attire and folk dances to authentic regional delicacies, the festival reflects the vibrancy of local traditions. It is a time when communities set aside differences and unite to welcome the bounty of the new harvest season.
