Nuakhai 2025: Maa Samalei Receives Nabanna in Sacred Ritual at Samaleswari Temple
Sambalpur, (OT Webdesk) — On the auspicious occasion of Nuakhai, the sacred offering of Nabanna (newly harvested rice) was made to Maa Samalei at the revered Samaleswari Temple, marking the spiritual commencement of the harvest season in Western Odisha.
The ritual was performed between 10:33 AM and 10:55 AM by three designated priests, led by Chief Priest Ambika Ray.
Following the offering, the temple doors were opened to thousands of devotees for darshan, creating a vibrant atmosphere of devotion and celebration.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Panchayatiraj Minister Rabi Nayak, and Sambalpur MLA Jaynarayan Mishra were among the dignitaries who participated in the festivities.
The Samaleswari Temple Trust Board also hosted journalists from 29 national media houses at the Bhogamandap to witness the ceremonial offering.
Nuakhai, celebrated predominantly in Sambalpur, Bolangir, Bargarh, and Kalahandi, is more than a harvest festival—it’s a cultural cornerstone.
Families gather to share meals made from the season’s first grains, seek blessings from elders, and resolve past disputes.
The festival fosters unity, gratitude, and reverence for nature’s bounty.
As chants echoed through the temple and the aroma of freshly cooked rice filled the air, Nuakhai 2025 reaffirmed the enduring traditions and communal harmony of Western Odisha.
