Sambalpur: The ‘Lagna’ (auspicious moment) of Nuakhai, the famous agrarian festival of western Odisha was finalised by priests at the Brahmapura Temple on Monday.
According to the schedule prepared by Brahma Mandap Pandit Mahasabha, ‘Nabanna’ or rice out of newly-harvested paddy crop will be offered to Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur on September 14 between 8:10 am and 8:40 am.
The ‘Lagna’ is usually finalised on Nanda Utsav, a day after the Janmashtami of Lord Krishna.
“During this period, the households of the region will offer ‘Nabanna’ to their presiding deity and Goddess Laxmi as a mark of gratitude for a bumper harvest and favourable weather conditions for farming. They will also thank Goddess Samaleswari for giving them a good crop harvest” a priest informed.