‘Nuakhai’ offering on Aug 26

Sambalpur: The Brahmamandap Pandit Mahasabha here on Tuesday finalised the ‘lagna’ (auspicious moment) for offering Navanna (new rice) to Maa Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur. It will held on August 26 between 9.05 am and 9.15 am.
The ‘Lagna’ is usually finalized on Nanda Utsav, a day after Janmashtami. The offering ushers in Nuakhai, the agrarian festival of western Odisha, celebrated to seek blessings of the presiding deity for a bumper harvest.
Devotees throng the temple wearing new clothes on Nuakhai to make offerings. Several community programmes are also organised to mark the festival.