Sambalpur is preparing to celebrate Nuakhai, the cherished agrarian festival of Western Odisha, on August 28, 2025.
Today, at the Brahmamandap Pandit Mahasabha held in Sambalpur, the auspicious timing (lagna) for Nuakhai has been finalised.
The sacred Nabanna offering at Maa Samaleswari Temple will take place between 10:33 AM and 10:55 AM. Following this ritual, families across Sambalpur and nearby districts will partake in the ceremonial consumption of the new rice, marking the beginning of communal celebrations.
After the Nabanna (new rice) offering to Maa Samaleswari, people across all districts of Western Odisha will perform similar offerings to their respective presiding deities. Traditional delicacies prepared from freshly harvested rice—such as chuda (flattened rice), pitha (cakes), kheeri (rice pudding), and fried items like sarupatra bhaja—will be offered as bhog (sacred food). Following this, the Nuakhai celebration will continue with ceremonial greetings (juhar bhet) and cultural programs, marking the beginning of festive gatherings.
🌾 Nuakhai Festival Timing for Sonepur
The auspicious timing (lagna) for the Nuakhai festival has been finalised at the Mukti Mandap of the Bada Jagannath Temple. During the Pandit Mahasabha, it was decided that Nuakhai will be observed on the 28th of August.
- The sacred lagna falls under Tula Lagna (Libra ascendant) from 11:09 AM to 11:23 AM.
- The ceremonial Pahuda Yatra (procession of offerings) will commence between 10:00 AM and 10:50 AM.
- As per tradition, the tribal communities of Sonepur Garhjat will partake in the Nabanna (new rice offering) during this auspicious window.
