Nuakhai Festival Celebrated with Grandeur in Sambalpur

Sambalpur, Odisha, August 28, 2025 – Western Odisha’s most cherished festival, Nuakhai, was celebrated with grandeur, devotion, and community spirit in Sambalpur today. The festival, also known as the festival of new harvest, is an integral part of Odia culture where people offer the newly harvested crops to Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur, before consuming them as Nabanna (new food).

Traditional Rituals and Offerings

The heart of Nuakhai lies in the sacred ritual of ‘Nabanna Lagi’, where families prepare rice from newly harvested paddy and offer it to their household deity and to Maa Samaleswari. The ritual was performed at an auspicious hour determined by the priests, and thousands of devotees thronged the Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur early in the morning to participate in the offering.

Dressed in traditional attire, men, women, and children stood in long queues to seek the blessings of the goddess. With chants, beating of dhols, and the echo of Sankha, the temple complex vibrated with cultural fervor.

Family and Community Bonding

Nuakhai is not just a festival of food, but also of family bonding and community togetherness. Families, both in villages and towns, gathered under one roof to share the new harvest meal. Elders blessed the younger generation, while relatives exchanged greetings known as “Nuakhai Juhar”.

In Sambalpur and other towns of western Odisha, people were seen visiting neighbors, friends, and relatives, exchanging sweets, gifts, and traditional delicacies. Streets were decorated with rangoli, colorful lights, and local folk music filled the air.

Cultural Programs and Folk Traditions

As part of the celebrations, folk dances and songs like Dalkhai, Rasarkeli, and Humo were performed in Sambalpur and adjoining areas. Local cultural organizations organized Nuakhai Bhetghat programs, where artists showcased Sambalpuri songs, dances, and poetry that celebrate agrarian life and heritage.

The rhythmic beats of the Sambalpuri dhol, accompanied by the vibrant movements of dancers in Sambalpuri sarees and traditional dress, highlighted the cultural richness of western Odisha.

Significance of the Festival

Nuakhai holds a unique significance as it honors the hard work of farmers and reaffirms the relationship between humans, nature, and agriculture. The festival, deeply rooted in agrarian traditions, reminds society of the importance of food security and gratitude to the land.

Sambalpur’s Samaleswari Temple becomes the focal point of these celebrations. Offering the first grains to Maa Samaleswari is considered sacred, and devotees believe it ensures prosperity, good health, and happiness for families throughout the year.

Government and Public Participation

The Odisha government and district administration made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of rituals and crowd management. Special buses and trains were arranged to handle the festive rush, as thousands of people returned to their native villages from cities across India.

Prominent leaders, ministers, and officials extended greetings to the people of Odisha. The Chief Minister, in his Nuakhai message, said, “Nuakhai is the festival of our soil. It strengthens the bonds of society, promotes brotherhood, and reminds us of the value of hard work of our farmers.”

A Festival Beyond Borders

Though Nuakhai is primarily celebrated in western Odisha districts like Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir, and Kalahandi, the festival has gained prominence among Odia communities across India and abroad. From Bhubaneswar to Bengaluru, Delhi to Dubai, Odia associations celebrated Nuakhai with equal enthusiasm, showcasing the festival’s growing global identity.