Kalahandi Marks Nuakhai with Sacred Nabanna Offering to Maa Manikeswari
Kalahandi district in Odisha came alive with vibrant celebrations on Tuesday as locals observed Nuakhai, the revered harvest festival that honours the season’s first crop.
The day began with the ceremonial offering of Nabanna—freshly harvested rice—to Goddess Maa Manikeswari during the auspicious window between 8:45 a.m. and 9:05 a.m.
Devotees received Nua Chuda (flattened rice from the new harvest) as prasada, symbolising divine blessings and agricultural abundance.
Families across the district then partook in their first meal from the fresh crop between 10:55 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., reinforcing the festival’s core values of gratitude and togetherness.
Unlike other regions in western Odisha, Kalahandi follows a distinct tradition, celebrating Nuakhai on varying dates between Bhadrapada Shukla Pratipada and Dashahara Dashami Tithi.
The day was further enriched by cultural programs, community feasts, and the heartfelt ritual of Nuakhai Juhar, where younger members paid respects to elders and received blessings.
More than a harvest ritual, Nuakhai in Kalahandi is a celebration of nature, agriculture, and familial bonds—an enduring testament to Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.
