Current Affairs - Festivity - Discussion

The Nuakhai festival is one of the most important cultural and agrarian celebrations of Odisha, particularly in the western region of the state. Observed annually on the panchami tithi of the Bhadraba month, it symbolises the first consumption of the newly harvested rice after offering it to the deity. The festival emphasises gratitude for agricultural abundance, family unity, and community bonding. Rich in rituals such as Beheren, Lagna Dekha, and Bali Paka, Nuakhai is not just about harvest but also cultural identity, marked by traditional Sambalpuri attire, folk dances like Dalkhai and Rasakeli, and vibrant social gatherings across Odisha.