Nuakhai or Nuankhai (Oriya: ନୂଆଖାଇ or Oriya: ନୂଆଁଖାଇ) (also known as Nabanna) is an agricultural festival mainly observed by people of western Orissa in India.[2] Nuakhai is observed to welcome the new rice of the season. According to the Hindu calendar it is observed on panchami tithi (the fifth day) of the lunar fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada or Bhaadra (August–September), the day after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. This is the most important social festival of Kosal.
Nuakhai
One of the major agricultural festivals of Orissa, Nuakhai, is practiced among the tribal as well as non-tribal. Also known as Nabanna,it
is however celebrated with more enthusiasm in Sambalpur region of
Orissa. Nuakhai is observed to welcome the new rice-paddy of the season.
It is celebrated as a way of thanks giving to Mother Earth in the month
of Bhadrab.
Hindu philosophy and pantheism believes Anna (food) to be Brahma. And since Anna is attributed to Goddesses Laxmi, on the day of Nuakhai,
Goddess Laxmi is worshipped as well. The new rice paddy is offered to
the Istha Devi of the family and the Village Devi and only then it is
used for day today consumption of the people. It is the common belief of
the people in Sambalpur that observation of Nua-khai frees them from
sorrows unhappiness, diseases and loss of crop.
Nua-Khai is a festival and celebration of
happiness, different types of local sweets and foods are cooked. All
the family members assemble together. After offering the new rice to the
deity, they all sit together and take the new rice, along with
Manda-Pitha Khiri-Puri etc. The blessings of the Ishta Devi and elders
are then sought. In the evening it is habitual and obligatory to have
meat, as it is believed that one who does not eat meat on the Nua-Khai
day, shall be born as a heron in his future birth. What ever be the myth
associated, Nuakhai is a celebration of the mass. People may stay in
far of lands, for there livelihood, but in the Nua-Khai they come home
to celebrate this festival with other members of the family.
The Kolha tribe in Keonjhar celebrate
Nuakhai in a different manner. On this day they cook new rice in a new
pot, prepare fowl curry, brew rice beer and offer it all to their Dharam
Banga or Sun God on one leaf and to their ancestors on another.
Interestingly the entire process is carried on by men . Nuakhai Bhetghats are organized at various places to mark the occasion.
