Nuakhai, Nuakhai Juhar
Nuakhai a harvest festival welcoming the newly harvest crop of the season was celebrated in Western Odisha. One day after the Nuakhai celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi it is celebrated especially in the Western Odisha. Nuakhai day People staying in distant lands come back to their native places, wear new clothes and offer prayers before the God and eat delicious foods prepared from the newly harvested crops. Nuakhai festival gives the present society a great message of the kind of unity, fraternity and bonding the Nuakhai festival promotes in the society along with its agricultural relevance.
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This Nuakhai festival was celebrated by Chauvan Raja Ramai Deo at Patanagarh which is currently known as Bolangir district of Odisha. The king knew the relevance of agriculture for the economic development of the state and hence the celebration of Nuakhai festival promoted the agrarian way of life in the Western Odisha. tradition of this Nuakhai festival dates back to 12th century A.D.Following the Hindu calendar, the day falls on the Panchami Tithi of the lunar fortnight in Bhadrapada (August–September) months,Nuakhai celebration starts with the preparation for the festival almost two weeks before the festival.The Nuakhai which is the exchange of greetings with friends, well-wishers, and relatives symbolizes unity. This is an occasion for people to lay their differences and start relationships afresh. In the evening of Nuakhai, people meet one another, exchanging "Juhar" elder’s blessings for long life, happiness, and prosperity. Even the partitioned brothers celebrate the Nuakhai festival under one roof. Nuakhai Festival gives great message of the relevance of agriculture in the economic progress of the country and the role of farmers in the process of nation building in those days and also in the present days.
On the occasion Nuakhai , folk songs and dances are organized displaying local culture, tradition and various shades of the society. As the festival has achieved national outreach with people form the Western Odisha staying in different parts of the country, a showcase of folk culture, songs and traditions take place through this festival of Nuakhai.Nuakhai festival is another great festival of the state of Odisha which is known for celebrating as said popularly in Sambalpuri ‘Bara Massa re Teraa Parva’.In thisharvest festival of Nauakhai a warm wish to everyone and lets pray before Maa Samaleswari, the famous mother goddess of Sambalpur district of Western Odisha, to offer peace and prosperity to all.
Nuakhai is celebrated districts like Sambalpur, Balangir, Bargarh, Kalahandi,Sundargarh, Nuapada, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Boudh,Jharsukuda, but also across several areas of Jharkhand. Nuakhai across India being agriculture based country; this is of massive significance for the agricultural crop. Nuakhai Juhar! One of the most ancient festivals of Odisha, may this auspicious occasion further the spirit of prosperity, especially among our hardworking farmers. Praying for everyone's good health and well-being.
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