Nuakhai

An important festival or puja celebration exclusive for the believers of Hindu faith in Orissa, Nuakhai usually starts on the 5th day or Panchami Tithi of Bhadrabha lunar fortnight during the months of August–September. Being celebrated for one day, Nuakhai remains an important regional festival in the Orissa state with an extensive involvement of the peasants. The festival is also denoted with several other names including Nuakhai, Nuankhai and Nabanna amongst others.

The identity of Nuakhai festival in Orissa state is worth mentioning in the context of this festival’s celebration in the whole region. Mainly this festival is to gain the divine support. This festival is dedicated for a purpose of getting the best possible support prospects in the agriculture sector. It remains an agricultural festival with the completely rustic festivity mood. Through this special festival the state of Orissa welcomes arrival of the new season of rice being produced. The festival is common scene in the next day of Ganesh Chaturthi festival end. It remains one of the most important Kosal social festivals in the state.

History

It is true that the details about the origin of Nuakhai have already lost over the period for it being in existence since centuries. This festival has seen various types of transitions through the ample revamps until it reaching to the present form. As per the oral traditions prevailing in the Orissa’s agrarian societies, origin of this festival dates back to 12th century AD when the first Chauhan Raja Ramai Deo used to rule this region. He would have established the princely state of Patna at that time which is now an integral part of the Western Orissa’s Balangir district. The tradition of worshipping God through Nuakhai celebration continues.

Denoted with multiple names or identities—Nuakhai Parab or Nuakhai Bhetghat amongst others, Nuakhai puja is mainly to taste the new food of a season. That is why preparing new type of food during that period remains an important attraction on this day of festivity. It is the welcome gesture by the farmers who possess the newly harvested rice in the new session. Obviously, the main focus of this festival is to observe a new season and do keep hope going one post the end of the Ganesha Chaturthi festival which finished just one day earlier.

Farmers and the large chunk of agricultural communities in Orissa observe Nuakhai since the ancient era. Such relevance makes this festival a significant one amongst the farmers and the people of agricultural communities in this state. It should also be noted well that particular time during the day is fixed to perform Nuakhai puja here. Such specific time is usually denoted with a concept called lagan. The festival celebration completes with the preparation of Arisa pitha which is unique dish in the Orissa state.

Celebrations

There is no end of attractions as far as celebrating Nuakhai festival is concerned. It starts with the symbolic preparation of unique food to welcome the new rice session and the festivity with unique impression while the lagan time come for worship. In fact the worshippers remember village God and Goddesses before taking the special food for great enjoyment. One more factor that requires a mention is that Nuakhai festival is not specified for a certain group only.

This festival is common amongst the tribal communities as much as it is celebrated by the caste-Hindus in this state. Although this festival remains an important one in the entire Orissa state its popularity is more in the western side of the state where tribal communities dominate.

Importance of Festival

Notable factors which make Nuakhai an important festival are that people welcome its arrival with the new food grains so do they worship God in thanksgiving gesture. The tradition of celebrating such festival is not a new one. In fact its history takes us into ancient era when Nuakhai festival existed. Several researches have been done to find out more about this festival to assess its ancient origin. As it has been found out that Nuakhai is celebrated since Vedic period it has manifold importance.

Even the sages have explained about Nuakhai in different forms and concepts as to how the festival remains a notable one for the agrarian society of Orissa state.

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