Time for ‘Nabanna Lagi’ for western Odisha’s mass festival Nuakhai fixed

Sambalpur: Nuakhai, the major festival of West Odisha will be celebrated on September 3 this year, for which the Brahma Mandap Pandit Mahasabha decided the ‘lagna’ today.

As per the decision of the Mahasabha the Nabanna Lagi or the offering of ‘Prasad’ made from newly grows rice to Goddess Samaleswari will take place at 8.30 am on September 3.

‘Nuakhai’ festival is celebrated to welcome the new paddy crop every year. On this auspicious day, farmers offer new grain to the deity to welcome the new crop.

As a significant feature of the festival, younger members seek blessings from their elders in the family as well as the village for good fortune.

People also greet each other with a new spirit in a ritual called ‘Nuakhai Bhet’ in local parlance on this day.

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