PM Modi, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik greet People with Nuakhai Juhar

On the auspicious occasion of ‘Nuakhai’ or ‘Nabanna’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Odisha Governor SC Jamir, Union Ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan, Assembly Speaker Niranjan Pujari, PCC President Prasad Harichandan, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra, BJP’s State Unit President KV Singhdeo and many others have greeted the people of Odisha.

“Nuakhai Juhar! Greetings to the people of Odisha as they celebrate the festival of Nuakhai. May this festival further happiness in society,” tweeted PM Narendra Modi.

“Nuakhai Juhar! On the pious occasion of Nuakhai, my good wishes to people of Odisha for their well-being & prosperity,” tweeted Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik.

Nuakhai remains the biggest festival of Western Odisha. It is also celebrated in undivided Koraput district and some other parts of the state. ‘Nuakhai Juhar’ is the traditional greeting exchanged between people to mark the festival. On this occasion, new paddy crop is offered to the presiding deity to seek blessings for a bumper harvest.

Nuakhai is the agrarian festival of Western Odisha, which began by offering ‘Nabanna’ of ‘New Rice’ to Goddess Samaleswari in Sambalpur this morning. All rituals were completed as per the tradition. After Samaleswari, other goddesses in Balangir (Maa Pataneswari), Bhawanipatna (Maa Manikeswari) and all other parts of Western Odisha were offered the ‘Nabanna’.

After eating ‘Nabanna’ and completing all the rituals, people seek the blessings of the elders and greet the younger ones and friends. ‘Nuakhai Bhetghat’ functions are being held across the state as well as outside. Several cultural functions will be held this evening. Leading Sand Artist Sudarshan Patnaik created a beautiful sand sculpture to mark the auspicious occasion.