Nuakhai festival is a tribute to Nature
The people of Odisha celebrates 13 festival within 12 months. Starting from Ratha Yatra to Nua khai odias celebrate each festival with joy and happiness.
Nuakhai is a harvesting festival of Western Odisha. Basically, Western Odisha people observed this festival to welcome the new rice of the harvesting session . As per the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated on the fifth day(panchami)of the lunar fortnight of Bhadraba or the next day of Ganesh Chaturthi.
What is the meaning of Nuakhai?
Here Nua means ‘New’ and Khai means ‘eat’.
On this day people offer the newly harvested crop to Maa Samalei or their village goddess then they take the prasad. They wear new clothes, made variety kind of peetha and food items on this day. Family gathered with in one roof to celebrate this festival, younger one worships elders and take their blessings which are known as ‘Nua Khai Bhet Ghat’
The ancient origin of this festival: As per the resource it was celebrated at the time of 14 the century AD. Raja Ramai Deo is the man who begin the popularity of this festival and made Nuakhai the symbol of Sambalpuri culture.
What are the Nine colors or sets of Nuakhai:
1. Beheren: announcement for a preparatory meeting
2. Lagna fix: Date fixing
3. Daka Haka: Invitation to guest
4. Saphai: Cleaning activities
5. Kinakini: Purchasing goods for this festival
6. Nua Dhana Khoja: Collection of New Rice
7. Bali Paka : Taking the prasad after offering it to the goddess
8. Nuakhai: Eating the prasad together
9. Juhar Bhet: Taking blessings from elders
Special Food items of Nuakhai: Peetha, Khiri, Rice, Saag, etc.
Significant of this Festival: This festival promotes the role of farmers and agriculture in society. The efforts of hard-working farmers to provide food for all.
It also shares moral values among the younger generation. They learn the importance of family, living together, respect for each other, etc.
It promotes a feeling of brotherhood among people.
Nature and the Nuakhai: Nuakhai festival is a tribute to Nature. This festival has a special relationship with nature. It teaches how to take care of mother earth by giving protection and care.
Starting from the agricultural season to crop production it is directly linked with this festival. It pays respect to mother nature for which the whole living organism is able to exist on this earth.
Also Read :Satkosia Gorge of Odisha is now Ramsar site
