Bhubaneswar: The ‘lagna’ (auspicious time) for offering ‘Nabanna’ (new rice) to Maa Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Odisha’s Sambalpur, on the day of Nuakhai was announced on Saturday.
As per tradition, the Brahmamandap Pandit Mahasabha of Maa Samaleswari temple in the city finalised the ‘lagna’ after calculating the auspicious time and days as per the Odia almanac. The ‘Lagna’ is usually finalised on Nanda Utsav, a day after Janmashtami.
The Mahasabha announced that the ‘Nabanna’ will be offered to the deity of the temple between 10.33 am and 10.55 am on the occasion of Nuakhai on August 28. The ‘Lagna’ holds significance as people of Sambalpur and its adjoining areas would follow it while celebrating the Nuakhai festival.
Nuakhai is celebrated predominantly in western Odisha regions like Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Balangir, and Bargarh districts. The festival is celebrated on the 5th day of the lunar fortnight of the month of Bhadraba as per the Odia almanac. It is observed to welcome the new rice of the season, symbolising the beginning of the harvest season and the significance of agriculture in the region.
As part of the celebration, people wear new clothes and carry prasad to offer to the deity of the temple. Normally cooked food of different varieties is offered to Maa Samaleswari.
In rural areas, ‘Nuakhai Bhet Bhat’ (community meeting) is organised and youngsters take the blessings of the elders by wishing ‘Nuakhai Juhar’ (obeisance). Either a community feast is organised or people exchange the food prepared at their homes.