Nuakhai, a vibrant and culturally significant harvest festival, is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the western regions of Odisha, India. It is observed primarily by the agrarian communities who express their gratitude to the deities for a bountiful harvest. The festival not only marks the consumption of the first grains of the season but also strengthens the social bonds within communities, as families come together to celebrate the occasion.
The Origins and Significance of Nuakhai
Nuakhai is one of the biggest festivals of Western Odisha. The word 'Nua' means 'new' and 'Khai' is related to 'eating food'. Every year this day is celebrated by eating new food collected in the season, it's a harvest festival to celebrate after collecting rice crops from the field. Nuakhai is celebrated by wearing new dresses, eating new foods, getting blessings from elders by greeting Juhar(Namaskar), and much more. Let's try to find out something more about this festival and how it's important in the life and culture of western Odisha and its people.
When is Nuakhai celebrated?
Every year Nuakhai is celebrated on the fifth day of the lunar fortnight of the month Bhadrava. The next day after Ganesh Chaturthi. Usually, it falls in August or September. In 2024 Nuakhai festival is on September 8th.
Where is Nukhai celebrated?
Even if it is popular as a festival of Western Odisha. Nuakhai is also celebrated in some parts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. In recent years, Nuakhai has gained recognition beyond Odisha, with diaspora communities celebrating the festival in various parts of India and abroad. This has helped in preserving the traditions and introducing the cultural richness of Odisha to a broader audience.
In many places including major cities of India, Nuakhai Bhetghat is celebrated where people come and gather together to meet each other after Nuakhai.
Edit your Nuakhai Photo : Nuakhai Photo Frame Edit
Nuakhai Lagan
The central ritual of Nuakhai is the offering of the first grains to the presiding deity, often the village deity or Goddess Samaleswari, who is revered as the mother goddess. The offering is made at a specific time, known as the "Lagna," which is determined by the village priests. After the deity is offered the new harvest, the head of the family offers the same grains to the ancestors, seeking their blessings.
Celebration of the cultural festival
Before Nuakhai, people clean their houses and color it. Buy new dresses to wear. The idea is to use new things in Nuakhai. Nuakhai is celebrated by being in the whole family, eating and celebrating together. So, people who live outside their home, come home for this festival.
On this day, food is served in leaf plates and bowls called Khali and Dana which are specially made from Kure patar or Mahul patar.
Variety of foods made for this day like Khiri, Arisha Pitha, Manda, Bubra, Bhat, Dal, And other Items. Women in the house take baths and make these dishes by adding the newly collected paddy from the season.
After preparing the food, People offer it to their presiding deity at the lagan time. After worshiping, the whole family sits and eats nua (the new food) together.
After eating, people take blessings from their presiding deity and then from elders by doing Nuakhai Juhar. They greet everyone around them happily, so it connects and refreshes the bonds between them.
Nuakhai Bhetghat
After eating Nua, people visit their relatives or group together to meet, which is called Nuakhai Bhetghat.
Nuakhai Bhetghat is celebrated in most major cities all over India. Where people who are living in that city group together and celebrate by dancing and singing.
Nuakhai Wish and Greetings
"Nuakhai Juhar 🙏"
Here are some wishes and greetings you can share with your loved ones for Nuakhai.
- Wishing you and your family a joyful Nuakhai! May the new harvest bring prosperity, good health, and happiness to your life. Nuakhai Juhar!
- Happy Nuakhai! May the blessings of the goddess fill your home with love, peace, and abundance. Let’s celebrate this festival with joy and togetherness.
- On this auspicious occasion of Nuakhai, may your life be filled with fresh hopes, new dreams, and endless opportunities. Nuakhai Juhar to you and your loved ones!
- Nuakhai Juhar! May this festival bring you closer to your roots, strengthen family bonds, and fill your days with prosperity and happiness.
- Wishing you a blessed Nuakhai! May the first grains of the harvest bring you endless joy and success. May your home be filled with the warmth of love and unity.
