Special Local Holiday Declared For Day Following Nuakhai In These Dists
The Odisha government declared an additional holiday on Monday for the agrarian festival Nuakhai, which is set to take place on September 20 in Bargarh, Sambalpur district, and Sundargarh Sadar sub-division.
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government declared an additional holiday on Monday for the agrarian festival Nuakhai, which is set to take place on September 20 in Bargarh, Sambalpur district, and Sundargarh Sadar sub-division.
The Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Northern Division, has issued a notification on the special local holiday in these districts on September 21, a day following the event.
A similar statement had already been made for the districts of Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Nuapada, and Jharsuguda.
Several districts, including Sambalpur, Balangir, Bargarh, Sundargarh, Kalahandi, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Boudh, and Sonepur, celebrate Nuakhai with pomp and gaiety. It is celebrated the day after Ganesh Chaturthi on Panchami Tithi (the fifth day) of the lunar fortnight of Bhadrapada or Bhadraba (August-September).
This year, the first harvested crop, 'Nabanna,' will be sacrificed to the goddess at Sambalpur during the specified Lagna (auspicious time) of 10.27 am to 10.42 am.
Aside from the customary ceremonies, Nuakhai celebrations involve wearing new clothes, worshiping the presiding deity, and eating a lavish lunch with the entire family. The following day, people meet and greet each other with "Nuakhai Juhar" at Nuakhai Bhetghat.
The oral tradition of this event dates back to the 12th century, when Chauvan Raja Ramai Deo held it in Patanagarh in the Balangir district.