The entire western region of Odisha today celebrated the agrarian festival of Nuakhai in gaiety and religious fervour.
A large number of devotees thronged the temple of Maa Samaleswari, the presiding deity in Sambalpur, seeking the blessings of the Goddess.
The first harvested crop was offered to Goddess Samaleswari at the stipulated Lagna (auspicious moment) between 8.20 AM to 8.35 AM.
"The first rice was offered to Maa Samalai as per the time fixed by the priest. Goddess Samaleswari was adorned with new saree and ornaments," said Samaleswari temple's priest Ambika Prashad Ray.
While it was Goddess Samaleswari in Sambalpur, it was Patneswari in Bolangir, Sureswari in Sonepur, Sekharbasisni in Sunderagrh and Manikeswari in Kalahandi, who were worshipped on the occasion of Nuakhai today.
People also observed Nuakhai in their respective homes with new clothes and delicacies, while the farmers worshipped the paddy fields.
Womenfolk woke up early in the morning to perform Nuakhai rituals, which began with decorating the house. The later half of the day was spent in the kitchen preparing special delicacies.
During the festival, the head of the family worships the household deity, offering rice and other food items. He then distributes the prashad among the family members. All family members take their food together on this occasion.
Apart from the rituals of offering the new crop to the deity, the 'Nuakhai Juhar' is a major ritual of the festival, which is an exchange of greetings with friends, relatives and well-wishers.
In the evening, 'Nuakhai Bhetghat' was organised at several places in Sambalpur by various socio-cultural organisations to celebrate the occasion.
"The people express their gratitude to the Almighty for the foodgrain on the occasion of Nuakhai. The festival is a symbol of friendship, love and affection," said writer, Deepak Panda.
Earlier, Nuakhai was observed on different days at different places. But since 1992, the festival is being celebrated on the same day throughout Odisha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Governor S C Jamir and others greeted the people of western Odisha on the occasion of Nuakhai festival.
